The Environmental Protection Agency proposed a new Waters of the U.S. Rule to give U.S. agriculture more clarity on what constitutes an actual water of the U.S. The public comment deadline is rapidly approaching. Courtney Briggs, senior director of government affairs for the American Farm Bureau Federation, said the time is now for farmers and ranchers to submit comments.
“It’s important that the EPA and the Army Corps hear the voice of agriculture. They can go to regulations.gov and search for WOTUS and provide their comments there, or on our website at fb.org, searching WOTUS, and you can go to our advocacy page, and we have set it up for our members to engage.”
Briggs said it’s important that farmers highlight this is a “durable rule.”
“One that faithfully implements the Supreme Court’s decision in Sackett, and one that we think is going to inject a lot of clarity and certainty for the regulated community. So, I think farmers need to express that this is a positive rule moving in the right direction, and express their support for the rule.”
Even though the deadline for submitting comments is coming up soon, there is still a lengthy process before the rule can be implemented.
“Folks have until January 5 to provide comments, and then the rest of the regulatory process needs to play out. EPA and the Corps need to review all the comments and provide responses, and then there needs to be another round of interagency review.”
For more information, go to fb.org/wotus.