American farmers file this decision under “Winning”
EPA, U.S. Army Move to Rescind WOTUS
Earlier today, the EPA, Department of Army and Army Corps of Engineers announced they are proposing a rule that rescinds the Clean Water Rule, a 2015 regulation that sought to clarify water resource management in the U.S. and attempted to define “waters of the United States,” or WOTUS.
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The agencies say this action, when finalized, will provide certainty until they are able to reevaluate the definition of “waters of the United States.” They report that the proposed rule will be implemented “in accordance with Supreme Court decisions, agency guidance and longstanding practice.”
“We are taking significant action to return power to the states and provide regulatory certainty to our nation’s farmers and businesses,” according to EPA administrator Scott Pruitt. “This is the first step in the two-step process to redefine ‘waters of the U.S.,’ and we are committed to moving through this reevaluation to quickly provide regulatory certainty in a way that is thoughtful, transparent and collaborative with other agencies and the public.”
The proposed rule comes on the heel of a February presidential executive order that called for a review of WOTUS, followed by “rescinding or revising” as needed.
Farm groups applaud withdrawal of WOTUS rule
GRAND FORKS – Farm group leaders were predictably pleased Tuesday with the announcement that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has filed an official proposal to withdraw the controversial Waters of the United States rule. “This is good news. There has just been so much uncertainty for growers,” said Theresia Gillie, a Hallock, Minn., farmer and president of her state Soybean Growers Association.