Ag groups express trepidation to EPA’s proposed water rule

The Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of the Army announced the signing of a proposed rule to revise the definition of the “waters of the United States” Nov. 18, which would reestablish the pre-2015 definition. However, this proposal has been the basis of disagreement in ag groups, according to a Hoosier Ag Today article.

The rule change spurs from a U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona order that vacates and remands the Navigable Waters Protection Rule in the case of “Pascua Yaqui Tribe v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.” Agencies of the EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are moving forward with the rulemakings announced June 9 “in order to better protect our nation’s vital water resources that support public health, environmental protection, agricultural activity, and economic growth,” according to the EPA’s website. “The agencies remain committed to crafting a durable definition of ‘waters of the United States’ that is informed by diverse perspectives and based on an inclusive foundation.”

Zippy Duvall, American Farm Bureau president, has expressed his unhappiness with the return to an “overly complicated” interim water rule.

“Overreaching regulations create major permit backlogs for the federal government and result in long delays for farmers and ranchers working hard to keep America fed,” says Duvall. “They’re putting this in place before completing the promised stakeholder engagement.”

Chris Edgington, National Corn Growers Association president, also says the rule is a step backward for American farmers.

“NCGA will continue to work with agencies and advocate for a WOTUS definition that provides farmers with clarity about obligations under the Clean Water Act,” says Edgington.