The U.S. Supreme Court will examine the issue of which court will sort out the various challenges to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) “Waters of the U.S.” (WOTUS) rule.
The court recently granted a petition, which was filed by the National Association of Manufacturers, that seeks review of the 6th Circuit’s decision that determined it should mediate the WOTUS challenges, according to Agri-Pulse.
The controversial rule would expand the EPA’s authority under the Clean Water Act. Farmers’ and ranchers’ ability to remain in production often depends on being able to use farming practices that would be prohibited if EPA denies a permit for them.
The rule remains a threat to agriculture, but farmers and ranchers hope for relief under a new administration.
“We are hopeful that a new administration will take another look at the WOTUS rule,” Texas Farm Bureau Government Affairs Director Regan Beck said. “This is a very large regulatory threat for farmers and ranchers in Texas and across the country.”
The American Farm Bureau Federation and the Texas Farm Bureau have praised President Donald Trump’s choice of Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt to lead the EPA.
The rule, which went into effect Aug. 28, 2015, was stayed nationwide by the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals in October 2015.