Springfield Standard

Congressman Eric Burlison of Missouri, along with Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee Chairman David Rouzer, has introduced the Judicial Review Timeline Clarity Act. This new legislation seeks to address the issue of environmental activist groups using litigation to delay crucial projects.

The act proposes setting a deadline of 60 days for entities to file a suit challenging the issuance of a permit for the discharge of dredged or fill material. The aim is to provide certainty to agencies and communities, facilitating faster authorizations and spurring infrastructure development.

Rep. Burlison explains the motivation behind the act, stating, "For far too long, environmental activist groups have used litigation to stall crucial projects. The Judicial Review Timeline Clarity Act will provide certainty to agencies and communities in order to facilitate speedy authorizations, spur infrastructure development, and safeguard against endless lawsuits which stall crucial projects."

He further emphasizes the need for common sense in the legal system, stating, "When we allow environmentalists to file frivolous lawsuits, it wastes time and resources for projects that the people of our nation depend on. Courts shouldn't be used as vehicles to impose an environmentalist agenda."

The Clean Water Act (CWA) of 1972 brought significant changes to various industries in the United States. Section 404 of the CWA established a program to regulate the discharge of dredged or fill material into the country's waters. These permits are required for a range of projects, including infrastructure, energy production, pipelines, mining, agriculture, and construction.

However, in recent years, environmental groups have been suing to delay or stop projects after a section 404 permit has been issued. These lawsuits are often filed long after a project is underway, causing industries to lose valuable resources and time.

The Judicial Review Timeline Clarity Act aims to address this issue by setting a limit of 60 days to challenge the issuance of a permit in court after it has been authorized by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).

The introduction of this act signals a push to balance environmental protection with the need for timely project completion. By providing a clear timeline for legal challenges, agencies and communities will have increased certainty, allowing them to move forward with projects that are vital to the nation's development.

To read the full text of the bill, click [here](link).