By Julie Tomascik
Editor

Earlier this summer, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers issued a proposal to repeal the controversial Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule. The agency would work to develop a WOTUS definition that protects water quality without asserting federal regulatory power over areas that sometimes hold water.

But environmental activist groups are working to preserve the rule.

“WOTUS is expansive and overbearing. It could be a costly hindrance to Texas farmers and ranchers,” Russell Boening, Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) president, said. “We need to voice our concerns with the rule in an effort to prevent the land grab that would essentially happen under WOTUS.”

The American Farm Bureau Federation issued an action alert, calling for comments to help voice agriculture’s concerns.

Comments may be submitted online at URL: fb.org/wotus-comments.

WOTUS, which is part of the Clean Water Act, expanded the federal government’s jurisdiction, allowing them to exert heavy fines and control how land is used.

“We can’t let the opposition drown out the voice of reason,” Boening said. “Withdrawing the rule will not harm water quality. Farmers and ranchers are good stewards of the land, working to preserve and conserve our natural resources.”

WOTUS was finalized Aug. 28, 2015, but the rule was never implemented. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit issued a nationwide stay in October 2015.

Many states, organizations and entities, including Texas Farm Bureau, Matagorda County Farm Bureau and American Farm Bureau, have filed suit against the WOTUS rule in courts across the nation.

“We believe the rule has more to do with control of land than water. It would create a regulatory burden and increase costs for those who work the land,” Boening said. “It’s a power grab that could put agriculture in jeopardy. We need to stand united as agriculture, voice our concerns and make sure this rule is ditched for good.”