Iowa Farmer testifies in support of Navigable Waters Protection Rule

by | Sep 17, 2020 | 5 Ag Stories, News

The Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule has been a source of contention since it was established during the Obama Administration. Many in support of the rule applauded the environmental benefits and the moves towards cleaning up the water supply. Opponents in the Ag industry said it was nothing more than a government-sanctioned landgrab, allowing the EPA to regulate anything it deemed to be a part of the nation?s waterways.

President Trump campaigned in 2016 on doing away with what they coined Federal overreach, primarily citing the WOTUS rule. A lot of that promise is what gained the campaign rural voter support. Since then President Trump has repealed the law and replaced it with the Navigable Waters Protection Act. Critics say it does not do enough to protect waterways, and Ag supporters laud it as the government backing off from an intrusion onto private land.

On Wednesday, the Senate Environment Committee held a hearing in which they heard from stakeholders. One of those testifying was Iowa farmer Ray Gaesser.

Audio: Full Committee testimony of Iowa farmer Ray Gaesser

Ray Gaesser has headed both the Iowa Soybean Association and the American Soybean Association. He testified to the Senate Environment Committee about the work his family has done to preserve the water and soil.

Gaesser stated that the primary goal is to provide a legacy and a viable operation to pass on to his son Chris. However, Gaesser says that the 2015 WOTUS rule put that dream into jeopardy. He said that the WOTUS regulations gave the EPA jaw-dropping powers over his lands.

Gaesser also said that the only certainty farmers face ins uncertainty. Each operation is as varied and diverse as the land on which they rest. He said that ?cookie-cutter? options do not work in different landscapes. Gaesser testified that the WOTUS rules turned his land into a ?regulatory landmine.? It also would have given the EPA jurisdiction and control over 97% of Iowa?s land.

Gaesser adds that despite arguments from environmentalists, farmers are doing everything they can to preserve the land and water because without them there is no future for American farmers. Gaesser says this is why he supports the Trump Administration rule which gives their family the freedom to farm while allowing them to meet federal regulations. It gives the states the freedom to regulate their own waterways.

The hearing did have opposition testimony from the head of water protection for the state of New Mexico. Also, committee Ranking Member Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE) came out in favor of more broad federal oversight such as what was provided in the former WOTUS rule.