WOTUS Revisited

The fight against EPA's Waters of the U.S. rule had long been quiet thanks to a stay in the court system, but a recent Senate report appears to have awakened repeal efforts. The report came from the Senate Environment and Public Works committee. The report cites case studies saying the Obama administration is already overreaching says committee chair Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma. Scott Yager with the National Cattleman's Beef Association says a case in California in particular should be for Capitol Hill a reason to be upset. "There is evidence in front of these senators to show them that these issues are happening right now, there are problems that are eroding agricultural exemptions and they need to take action to fix it."

Yager Isn't alone in worrying about exemptions not being recognized. Don Parrish with the AFBF says other ag practices could come under fire. "Extensions for building stock ponds, plowing and even trying to interfere with farmers as they tried to change from one type of crop to another. What this report shows is that those kinds of problems are probably going to increase as this new rule takes effect." Parrish Says Capitol Hill needs to get involved. " Clearly, there's a role for Congress either. That role is not only to clarify definitions of what constitutes navigable waters but also clarify for the agency that the normal farming exemptions are important. They need to be very specifically adhered to.