WOTUS Update
From the Western Ag Network, I’m Bob Larson. The American Farm Bureau joined other agriculture stakeholders in submitting comments after reviewing the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed “Waters of the United States” Rule.
Courtney Briggs, the Farm Bureau’s director of government affairs, says the proposed rule does a good job addressing farmer concerns …
BRIGGS … “It's injecting a lot of clarity and certainty into the definition of WOTUS. We believe this proposed rule is an important step towards aligning the definition of WOTUS with the Supreme Court's Sackett decision and providing the clear and workable boundaries that farmers need.”
Briggs says it’s effective from a legal and policy perspective …
BRIGGS … “But with that said, getting the rule right on paper is only part of the equation. A regulation also has to work in practice on the ground for farmers and ranchers, and there are often growing pains when these regulatory changes occur. We just want to make sure that we can work with this administration to make sure that this is implemented correctly.”
She’s hopeful the next steps happen quickly so farmers get the clarity they need on water issues …
BRIGGS … “From here, EPA and the Corps will review the comments submitted on not just this proposed rule, the supplemental proposal, but also comments received previously on the original proposal, and then move forward towards a final rule."
Again, that’s Courtney Briggs of the American Farm Bureau.
