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NASDA CEO slams revised WOTUS rule

The CEO of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture says the EPA’s updated Waters of the U.S. rule missed the mark.

“We are deeply, deeply disappointed, even angry.”

Ted McKinney tells Brownfield the revised WOTUS rule lacks clarity. “They did not touch some of the uncertainty that leaves a farmer and rancher almost having to go hire a high-priced lawyer who even they can’t figure out, is this farmable? Can I farm this? Does this stay as wetlands?”

He says NASDA members repeatedly asked to engage in dialogue with the EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to help write the updated rule. “For the EPA to have not come back to the states, even informally, was deeply, deeply disappointing and they didn’t get it right.”

McKinney says NASDA is willing to work with the agencies on a more clearly defined rule that benefits farmers and ranchers. He spoke to Brownfield at NASDA’s annual meeting in Cheyenne, Wyoming on Monday.

AUDIO: NASDA CEO Ted McKinney