A bipartisan group of Senators are proposing that the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers redo the proposed Waters of the U.S. rule to give certainty to farmers, ranchers and small businesses.
The legislation, “Federal Water Quality Protection Act,” would send the proposed WOTUS rule back to EPA and the Corps and require the agencies to consult with the states and those affected by the proposed rule. The legislation has been endorsed by nearly 90 agriculture groups. In a letter to Congress, the groups say, “The sooner Congress acts, the sooner the agencies can re-craft a rule that more accurately reflects the will of Congress, while respecting the concerns of all affected parties.”
The bill was introduced by Sens. John Barrasso (R-WY), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Joe Donnelly (D-IN), James Inhofe (R-OK), Pat Roberts (R-KS), and Joe Manchin (D-WV). The proposed WOTUS rule has gotten more attention and concern from producers than almost any other issue since its proposal by the EPA.
