Congressman Paul Gosar (R-AZ) has introduced legislation (H.R. 594) that would stop the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corp of Engineers from finalizing their proposed “Waters of the United States” rule. The proposed rule would expand the agencies’ jurisdiction over various waterways, including those found on farms. The legislation has 106 co-sponsors. Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) plans to introduce similar legislation in the Senate. The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee held a hearing to examine the impact the WOTUS rule would have on states and local governments.
The American Farm Bureau Federation commended the committee for holding the hearing. The AFBF said, “It has been nearly a year since EPA and the Corps first proposed this rule, yet the farm and ranch community still lacks the clarity and certainty that was promised. We have asked the questions and submitted our comments, yet the agricultural community still needs clear and straight answers from administration officials over the intent and actual meaning of this proposed rule.”
