Farm Groups Applaud New WOTUS Proposal

Agriculture groups welcomed the signing of a proposal to rework the Waters of the U.S. Rule. The Trump administration rolled out the proposal at the Environmental Protection Agency to much fanfare from agriculture and farm-state lawmakers. The National Cattlemen's Beef Association called the proposal a "fresh start." NCBA says the new rule proposed by the Trump administration would protect private property rights, safeguard U.S. waters, restore state and local authorities and respect the intent of Congress in limiting jurisdiction to “navigable waters” in the Clean Water Act. American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall, who attended the signing of the proposed rule, says it will “empower farmers and ranchers to comply with the law, protect our water resources and productively work their land without having to hire an army of lawyers and consultants.” The 2015 WOTUS rule is currently in effect in 22 states. The EPA and Army Corps of Engineers are currently in the process of repealing the 2015 WOTUS rule.