Posted June 20, 2014
Agriculture
Undersecretary for Natural Resources and Environmental Robert Bonnie maintained
conservation practices under the interpretative rules are still voluntary
during a House Agriculture Subcommittee hearing of the Clean Water Act,
according to a Hoosier Ag Today article available here.
Agri-Pulse also published an article available here
and Prairie Star here.
A recent blog post on the Clean Water Act is available here.
The
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that the interpretive
rule is to clarify the applicability of 56 exemptions from the permitting
process provided under section 404 of the CWA to “discharges
of dredged or fill material associated with certain agricultural practices,”
according to Agri-Pulse.
Frank Lucas, House Agriculture Committee Chairman, has
expressed views against the EPA proposal and exemptions.
“If EPA succeeds in doing by rule what Congress will never
give them authority to do by law, basically they will control every drop of
water from the ocean all the way back to the parking lot of your business, the
rain coming off your barn, the drop coming off the brim of your hat,” he said.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), EPA, and U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers signed a memorandum of understanding between the
agencies defining how the three agencies would coordinate implanting the
interpretive rule, according to the Prairie
Star.
"This hearing gives us the opportunity to discuss the
issue of clean water and the impact of agricultural conservation programs on
rural communities," said Ranking Member Timothy J. Walz (D-MN-01).
"As we move forward, we need more clarity and we need our farmers and
sportsmen to speak up and speak out to ensure Congress strikes the right
balance."
For more information on the Clean Water Act, please visit
the National Agricultural Law Center’s website here.
