More than 70 agricultural groups including the National Pork Producers Council are asking EPA for an extended comment period on their proposed Waters of the U.S. rule. South Dakota Pork Producers President Lester Moeller of Miller says the agency is attempting to clarify the Clean Water Act with this rule so the more information that can be supplied the better.
The ag groups not only want an additional 90 days to comment on the rule which now is due July 21 but also want an additional 45 days beyond the current June 5 deadline for the agricultural exemption rule. Moeller thinks that 45 day request is also reasonable.
Another concern the ag groups have and why they’re calling for more time to send in comments is because more than two thirds of the comment period occurs when most farmers and ranchers are in the fields around the clock and not sitting at their computers reading regulatory proposals.