Water and the EPA

Water and the EPA

Rick Worthington
Rick Worthington
The Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers have filed an official proposal to withdraw the 2015 Waters of the U.S. Rule due to the concerns of rural America. EPA now begins a replacement rule making process re-evaluating the definition of Waters of the U.S. Rule in the Clean Water Act and gathering input from stakeholders.

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt tells the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee about the confusion generated by the 2015 Waters of the U.S. rule.

"I think what's important in respect to this issue is the lack of clarity the previous rule created. It created a situation where farmers and ranchers across the country weather their creek beds or streams was subject to EPA jurisdiction. They were facing fines that were substantial as they engaged in earth works that created a substantial amount of confusion"

--- Farm groups are hailing the announcement, saying the administration is injecting some much-needed common sense into the nation's environmental policies.

Farmers are relieved as they feared that creeks, streams, ditches or even potholes on their farm would be subject to the rule, and they could face penalties if they were not in compliance.

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