The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Army Corps of Engineers issued their final Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule on Dec. 30.
The new water rule will replace the Navigable Waters Protection Rule put in place during the Trump administration.
Agricultural groups, including Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) and American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), are disappointed in the rule.
“The rule does not provide the needed clarity and certainty that has been requested by Texas farmers and ranchers,” TFB President Russell Boening said. “In fact, the rule allows the federal government to expand its jurisdictional reach over private property. It is incredibly difficult for a farmer or rancher to understand if they have a jurisdictional feature on their property.”
When the federal government expands its reach, the amount of permitting that farmers and ranchers are subject to gets worse.