The newly unveiled ‘Waters of the U.S.’ (WOTUS) rule by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers is drawing sharp criticism. Observers point out the agencies' seeming indifference to crucial feedback from the U.S. Supreme Court and local regulatory experts.
Ted McKinney, representing the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA), highlighted the general sentiment of disappointment among agriculture departments across the U.S. Referring to the Sackett v. EPA case, McKinney indicated that the agencies had a golden chance to amend an imperfect rule. Unfortunately, the new WOTUS rule seems to have problems in many ways.
It's noteworthy that despite NASDA's numerous attempts to contribute, both the EPA and Army Corps have seemingly pushed aside valuable input, including that from states with regulatory stakes.
NASDA, however, remains undeterred, showcasing their readiness to assist farmers, ranchers, and local authorities. They underline the importance of a transparent and stable rule. Representing agricultural pioneers from every U.S. state and territory, NASDA's mission is to fortify the American food and agriculture domain.