News
EPA & Corps of Engineers to get input from farmers on WOTUS
The EPA and U.S. Department of the Army have set up a series of public meetings in August to hear from farmers and other stakeholders on a definition for Waters of the U.S.
EPA Administrator Michael Regan says the goal is to listen to all sides and craft “an enduring definition of WOTUS because uncertainty over the definition has harmed waters, stakeholders and communities that rely on them.”
Ag Secretary Vilsack says it’s vital farmers and rural Americans have a seat at the table.
EPA – SCHEDULE AND REGISTRATION FOR PUBLIC MEETINGS
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I agree wholeheartedly with Bill Rice …..
There is no question that controlling the use of water, and preventing misuse of it with poisonous effluents are important and, as a farmer, I support those efforts. However, of equal importance in my mind is the preservation of existing, and expansion of, water supplies for populations and farms. California supplies the bulk of fresh fruits, vegetables and nuts for the U.S.
I understand the hemishere-stabilization strategy of paying developing countries for their produce no matter how inferior it is at times, and no matter how ignorant we consumers are about what foreigners do to their produce to keep it fresh and free of pests. But water is the key for we farmers, and the Federal Government and the State of California have been remiss in what I think the two most important issues are. As for definitions, create one which is fool-proof, one that committed ideologies in the government cannot manipulate to our detriment. Standing water in a ditch or wheel rut, and irregularly filled ponds or depressions in the earth ought not to be your concern.