Federal water regulators and Missouri farmers want the same thing from a new rule set to be implemented later this month: Clarity.
The Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers recently proposed a new definition of waters that will be subject to federal pollution regulations under the Clean Water Act. The new Waters of the United States (WOTUS) definition is intended to settle nearly a decade of debate around what bodies of water federal agencies can regulate.
The rule is meant to provide "clear rules of the road," according to a public fact sheet published by the agencies.
Missouri and 22 other states have filed a lawsuit seeking to block the new definition from taking effect. They want more guidance on the scope of the Clean Water Act from the United States Supreme Court and claim the new definition set by the agencies is too vague.
"President Biden's rush to issue this rule is nothing short of a land grab," Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey said. "It is an attempt to turn Missouri agricultural land over to federal, unelected bureaucrats -- federal, unelected bureaucrats at the EPA. And we're not going to let it happen."
Source: fultonsun.com
Categories: Missouri, Government & Policy, Sustainable Agriculture