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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 25, 2020)
A3 THE ASTORIAN • SATURDAY, JANUARY 25, 2020 Ag interests applaud new federal water rule Scales back Obama policy By CAROL RYAN DUMAS Capital Press Groups representing farmers and ranchers are hailing a fi nal rule that pro- vides a clear defi nition of Waters of the United States under the Clean Water Act. The new Navigable Waters Protection Rule replaces the Obama admin- istration’s controversial 2015 rule, which expanded federal jurisdiction to nearly all waterways and many areas that only temporarily hold water. The new rule, announced on Thursday, identifi es four categories of waters that are federally regulated under the Clean Water Act: • The territorial seas and traditional navigable waters. • Perennial and intermit- tent tributaries. • Certain lakes, ponds and impoundments. • Wetlands adjacent to jurisdictional waters. It also details waters not subject to federal con- trol — including features that only contain water in direct response to rainfall; groundwater; many ditches including farm and road- side ditches; prior converted cropland; farm and stock watering ponds; and waste treatment systems. The American Farm Bureau Federation said the new rule achieves important regulatory oversight while allowing farmers to farm. “Farmers and ranchers care about clean water and preserving the land, which are essential to producing healthy food and fi ber and ensuring future generations can do the same,” Zippy Duvall, the farm bureau president, said. “That’s why we support the new clean water rule. It provides clarity and cer- The Trump administration has announced a new Waters of the United States rule. tainty, allowing farmers to understand water regula- tions without having to hire teams of consultants and lawyers,” he said. The National Farmers Union expressed appreci- ation for the clarity in the new rule but also urged the Trump administra- tion to ensure the availabil- ity of clean water for future generations. “Family farmers and ranchers have been confused by ambiguous water regula- tions for many years,” Roger Johnson, the group’s presi- dent, said. “Now that we have a more precise defi nition of WOTUS, we hope that farmers will better under- stand which kinds of water are subject to federal author- ity and which are not,” he said. But farmers also need access to clean, safe water for their families, their farms and their communities, he said. “When regulating natu- ral resources, EPA (Environ- mental Protection Agency) and the Army Corps of Engi- ‘WE HAVE BEEN FUNCTIONING UNDER A TANGLED PATCHWORK OF WATER REGULATION FOR FAR TOO LONG.’ Barbara Glenn | CEO of National Association of State Departments of Agriculture neers must balance certainty for farmers, ranchers and property owners with pro- tections for our water sup- ply,” he said. The National Association of Wheat Growers said the rule provides more clarity in Clean Water Act applicabil- ity and defi nition of Waters of the U.S. “Today’s announce- ment is welcome news to America’s wheat producers who’ve dealt with years of regulatory uncertainty,” Ben Scholz, the group’s presi- dent, said. “Farmers are dependent on protecting our natural resources for safe and reli- able water to grow crops and for the communities that DEL’S O.K. TIRE farmers are a part of. To do so, we need regulatory cer- tainty and clarity as well as a common-sense framework for how the rules will work,” he said. The National Corn Grow- ers Association said the 2015 WOTUS rule would have increased regulatory bur- dens and costs for farmers. “Farmers are commit- ted to protecting the envi- ronment and implementing on-farm soil health practices like planting cover crops, reducing tillage and more carefully managing crop res- idue,” Kevin Ross, group’s president, said. “This new rule gives the fl exibility and clarity needed to implement stewardship practices without the threat of government action,” he said. The American Soybean Association said the 2015 rule was cumbersome and confusing, and the new reg- ulation will better provide certainty and clear direction for farmers. “We have long rallied for a replacement rule that pro- tects our waterways while still offering a workable solution for farmers and that does not impose undue burden on agriculture,” Bill Gordon, the group’s presi- dent, said. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association said the 2015 WOTUS rule was an “illegal” effort to assert con- trol over private property. “NCBA relentlessly fought WOTUS on Capi- tol Hill, at the agencies and in the courts. Today, we can rest a little easier knowing that some power has been put back in the hands of landowners,” Jennifer Hous- ton, the group’s president, said. The National Pork Pro- ducers Council said the new rule gives farmers greater certainty while also protect- ing water quality and the environment. “The previous WOTUS rule was a dramatic gov- ernment overreach and an unprecedented expansion of federal authority over pri- vate lands,” David Herring, the group’s president, said. “We’re pleased EPA has fi nalized a common-sense rule, the Navigable Waters Protection Rule, that works with — not against — farm- ers to protect our nation’s waterways,” he said. The National Milk Pro- ducers Federation said the new rule puts an end to years of contentious rule-mak- ing and will provide a com- mon-sense approach to regulation . The National Associa- tion of State Departments of Agriculture said the new rule will provide farmers with certainty and a clear view of how water will be regulated on their land. “As leading state ag offi - cials, NASDA members are responsible for protecting natural resources in con- junction with the Clean Water Act,” Barbara Glenn, the CEO of the association , said. “We have been function- ing under a tangled patch- work of water regulation for far too long. We look forward to working with the EPA to implement the rule and eliminate ambigu- ity while safeguarding our nation’s water resources,” she said. WANTED Alder and Maple Saw Logs & Standing Timber Northwest Hardwoods • Longview, WA Contact: John Anderson • 360-269-2500 WALTER E. NELSON CO. Your local janitorial and paper supply...and much more! LET U S HEL P YO U HELP Del Thompson, former owner of OK Rubber Welders. 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