For years, farm groups and producers made their voices heard about the proposed Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule by the Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Obama Administration. The EPA under the Trump Administration has tabled that rule and proposed a new WOTUS definition, and the comment period is open.
The new version of WOTUS considers concerns which farmers and Ag groups voiced about possible overreach by the EPA. Supporters of the new rule say it gives a much clearer definition of the jurisdiction of EPA and difference between land and navigable waters. We hear from American Farm Bureau Federation?s Don Parrish.
Parrish says the new rule also draws a clear definition between the jurisdiction of the federal government and state governments.
The comment period is open until April 15th. Producers can be certain opponents of the rule will make their voice heard, so Ag groups are asking farmers to do the same.
American Farm Bureau also has an easy to use website, which allows farmers to make their voice heard on the new WOTUS proposal.
