Nebraska Farm Bureau is backing an effort by 219 House members in asking EPA to withdraw their proposed Waters of the U.S. Rule. EPA claims the proposal clarifies the Clean Water Act and provides several exemptions to agriculture. Nebraska Farm Bureau National Affairs Coordinator Jordan Dux says EPA is surpassing Congress’s intent with the Clean Water Act.
Dux says in their proposal EPA’s Ag exemptions only cover wetlands or Section 404 and allow heavy regulation over point source discharges which could detrimentally effect fertilizer and pesticide applications. He says if EPA refuses to withdraw the rule, his group will work with Congress to stop the agency with legislation.
Dux says under the proposed rule there would be no body of water in the United States that wouldn’t be at risk from federal regulation.