Producer conversations about WOTUS show issues with EPA authority, clarity

Farmers and ranchers continued expressing their concerns about environmental regulation at a Waters of the U.S. roundtable.

Shawn Tiffany, a rancher and president-elect with the Kansas Livestock Association, says protecting the environment starts with education, not regulations through WOTUS. “Educating producers on the benefits of cover crops, and the water retention capabilities, and erosion and every other thing that we’re seeing with many modern farm practices that are becoming commonplace today that 10 years ago were considered unorthodox.”

Aaron Popelka, vice president of legal and governmental affairs with KLA, says any restriction on streams that flow after rain events could hurt production. “And many ephemerals are including in grazing situations for livestock, but even some are, depending on how the agency will define ephemeral, may have some cropping activities.  When we talk about expanding the reach of ephemerals that creates a certain level of uncertainty for producers.”

North Dakota farmer Cliff Issendorf says the new rule could restrict water management infrastructure that helps reduce flooding. “Filtering storm water run off through the soil runoff reduces phosphorous and turbidity dramatically. Promoting sub-surface drain tile increases production on farmland.”

The roundtable was hosted by the Kansas Livestock Association, EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers Monday.