Despite Assurances, EPA Ready to Tighten Water Regulations

WASHINGTON, DC – Despite claims by the new Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) during his Senate confirmation hearing that he would not throw farmers, especially small producers, under the bus regarding the Clean Water Act (CWA), Michael Regan says the current definition of “Waters of the U.S.” (WOTUS) must go.

In a press release from EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers, Regan announced that the regulatory agency is undertaking additional rulemaking to promulgate a new, more expansive definition of WOTUS.

With this move, farmers and ranchers are now facing their third change in regulatory stance on the issue in five years. Last year, President Trump signed an executive order, on the heels of a Supreme Court challenge’ that more clearly defined what waters and more importantly, what lands may be subject to the CWA. Every ag and commodity group praised the move, rolling back what some called the most expansive land grab by government in U.S. history.

Under the previous WOTUS law, which was introduced during the Obama administration, any area of land which holds or could hold water, generally-speaking, would be subject to CWA requirements. The Trump-era rule, called the Navigable Waters Protection Rule (NWPR), rolled back the definition to a clearer understanding of bodies of water that truly are navigable, not puddles or drainage ditches.

Many agricultural groups are expressing anger or concern at the move, while most environmental groups continue to press the current administration to do more, faster.
(SOURCE: All Ag News)