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Farm Bureau applauds EPA outreach on revising WOTUS

American Farm Bureau is pleased with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to work closely with states in revising the Waters of the U.S. rule (WOTUS).

AFBF senior director of congressional relations Don Parrish says the move brings transparency to the process and calls it a “breath of fresh air.”

“We know that it’s not going to be easy, and we know that there are going to be differing opinions state-to-state on what EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers role should be.  But this is more than the last administration did.”

In one of his first acts as president, Donald Trump issued an executive order to withdraw the WOTUS rule—which has been tied up in litigation for months.

Parrish tells Brownfield new EPA administrator Scott Pruitt’s background as Oklahoma attorney general will be beneficial in crafting a replacement.

“Administrator Pruitt, coming from a state, is going to be very sensitive and very interested in working with and consulting with states.  And what you saw (Tuesday) was kind of the first shot giving the governors an opportunity to submit written comments.”

Pruitt sent letters to all 50 state governors requesting input on what the new rule should do, recognizing checks and balances written into the original Clean Water Act.

 

 

 

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