U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-3) supported legislation that would protect the private water rights of hard-working Americans from the federal government.

The Water Rights Protection Act is specifically designed to protect communities, businesses, recreation opportunities, farmers and ranchers as well as other individuals that rely on privately held water rights for their livelihood from federal takings.

“Far too often, federal agencies have sought to infringe on the water rights of Americans through heavy-handed regulations that stand in the way of growth and economic opportunity,” Luetkemeyer said. “I believe we have a duty to protect the constitutional rights of our citizens and this legislation helps to accomplish that.”

The legislation would prohibit federal agencies from extorting water rights through the use of permits, leases, and other land management arrangements, for which it would otherwise have to pay just compensation under the 5^th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

The Water Rights Protection Act now heads to the Senate for consideration and comes on the heels of Luetkemeyer’s push to prevent the Environmental Protection Agency from enacting federal regulations for residential wood burning heaters that would impact thousands of American families that heat their homes with wood.