By Gary Joiner
TFB Radio Network Manager
A proposal by the Trump administration to withdraw the “Waters of the U.S.” (WOTUS) rule is expected fairly soon, clearing the way for a replacement rule that Farm Bureau hopes ensures farmers and ranchers can continue to farm while still protecting the land and water features in and around their farms.
Don Parrish, senior director of Regulatory Relations for the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), told the Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) Radio Network that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must complete two rulemakings.
“First, they have to withdraw the Obama rule, and that means they’ve got to do a rulemaking to withdraw that. In order to do that, they have developed a proposal that really we think is not very controversial because, obviously, more than 30 states challenged the rule, industry and environmentalists, on both substantive, as well as administrative law violations. So I suspect we’re going to see something fairly soon that is going to be a proposal to withdraw the regulation,” Parrish said. “Hopefully, that is done quickly, and once they’ve withdrawn the regulation, then they have to re-instigate another rulemaking that will put something in place that will more clearly define what waters of the U.S. are.”
Parrish said AFBF has been spending a good bit of time with the administration, trying to help it understand what agriculture’s problems were with the old proposal and how unclear and problematic that definition was for farmers and ranchers.
“I think it is going to be a real hopeful outcome. So we’re looking forward to them proposing something that would give farmers and the public some comfort in knowing that water quality is protected but, yet, is not a regulatory overreach,” he said. “I think we’re very encouraged that this administration is going to want to listen to the concerns of farmers and ranchers, unlike the last administration.”
He noted Farm Bureau policy is very specific in terms of wanting waters of the U.S. to be streams, things that actually have water in them and that function like aquatic resources.
Parrish said farmers and ranchers will want to remain active in the EPA rulemaking process and contribute public comment when opportunities are made available.
Click here to hear more with Parrish on the TFB Radio Network.