Dec. 12, 2018 – Skokie, Ill. – The Portland Cement Association applauds the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) for their proposed rule revising the definition of ‘Waters of the United States’ (WOTUS). 

This proposal would provide long needed certainty to individuals and business in understanding their right to use their private lands, and allow states to carry out their longstanding role in ensuring sustainable and productive land use.

“Previously conflicting U.S. Supreme Court rulings on the Clean Water Act left manufacturers without a clear and consistent set of criteria for when the law would impact their businesses,” said Portland Cement Association President and CEO Mike Ireland. “Unfortunately, the EPA’s prior attempts to clarify those criteria did little to reduce the uncertainty while expanding the reach of the federal government. This expanded reach posed a threat to the ability of cement manufacturers to provide cement for our country’s infrastructure.”

Ireland added, “EPA’s new proposal balances the need to encourage economic growth with protecting the environment. We particularly appreciate EPA’s exclusion of quarries from the definition - a common sense provision that helps ensure that our members can meet the demand for resilient and sustainable building materials. As the federal government steps in to improve our nations declining infrastructure, cement manufacturers stand ready to lead in that effort.”

For more information contact John Norton, jnorton@cement.org.  

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The Portland Cement Association (PCA), founded in 1916, represents 93 percent of U.S. cement production capacity and have facilities in all 50 states. The association promotes safety, sustainability, and innovation in all aspects of construction, fosters continuous improvement in cement manufacturing and distribution and generally promotes economic growth and sound infrastructure investment.