The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed a new Waters of the U.S. rule aimed at giving farmers and ranchers clearer guidance on what qualifies as a regulated waterway.
The proposed rule would revise how federal jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act is defined, a long-standing issue for agriculture where uncertainty over ditches, ponds, and seasonal waterways has raised compliance concerns.
“I think farmers need to express that this is a positive rule moving in the right direction, and express their support for the rule,” says Courtney Briggs, senior director of government affairs for the American Farm Bureau Federation.
Briggs says the updated definition could help landowners better understand when federal permits are required and when normal farming practices can continue without added regulation.
Briggs continues, “It’s important that the EPA and the Army Corps hear the voice of agriculture. They can go to regulations.gov and search for WOTUS and provide their comments there, or on our website at fb.org, searching WOTUS, and you can go to our advocacy page, and we have set it up for our members to engage.”
The American Farm Bureau Federation urges farmers and ranchers to weigh in before the public comment period closes. The organization says producer input is critical to ensure the rule provides clarity, consistency, and protects both water quality and agricultural operations.
“Folks have until January 5 to provide comments, and then the rest of the regulatory process needs to play out. EPA and the Corps need to review all the comments and provide responses, and then there needs to be another round of interagency review,“ Briggs added.
For more information, go to fb.org/wotus
