Farmers need rules that clearly define federal jurisdiction of the Waters of the United States, or WOTUS. The American Farm Bureau submitted comments to the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers. AFBF detailed the impact of WOTUS on farmers and elements that must be included in the new proposed rule to ensure it can withstand future legal challenges.
John Newton, vice president of public policy and economic analysis said, “Farmers and ranchers support the creation of a legally durable rule that injects clarity into the regulatory process and does not leave landowners guessing what parts of their property are subject to regulation.” Farm Bureau’s recommendations for the rule included further defining “relatively permanent” to narrow the regulatory scope. The group also wants clarification of when wetlands should fall under WOTUS, continued exclusion of prior converted cropland, and exclusion of ditches from WOTUS jurisdiction.
-NAFB