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Lack of clarity on WOTUS ongoing challenge for ag sector

The president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association says producers need certainty when it comes to regulations that impact farm and ranch operations.

Todd Wilkinson, a rancher from South Dakota, says producers are anxiously awaiting the ruling from the Supreme Court in Sackett v. EPA which asks the High Court to clarify the scope of EPA’s regulatory authority under the Clean Water Act. “And I hope that’s going to bring us some clarity,” he says. “It’s unfortunate that the Biden administration chose to have the EPA go forward with rulemaking when we’re months away from a Supreme Court decision that could make it all irrelevant.”

He tells Brownfield the lack of consistency makes it difficult for producers to operate.  “Because they don’t know where they can make an improvement on their property, because is it a WOTUS or is it not a WOTUS,” he says.  “You got huge decisions that are based upon do I have to involve the federal government? Do I have to involve my state government? And it’s frustrating.”

The Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment under the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee is holding a hearing on Wednesday to hear stakeholder perspectives on the impacts of the Biden administration’s Waters of the US rule.  Missouri Farm Bureau president Garrett Hawkins is on the witness list. 

AUDIO: Todd Wilkinson, NCBA president

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