CropLife America finds Clean Water Act confusing

CropLife America (CLA) said Wednesday that the standards in the final Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule, renamed the Clean Water Act, will reduce farmers’ ability to produce and fail to reflect suggestions by the agriculture and crop-protection industries.

CLA also said that the multiple definitions in the rule that conflict with the intent of the Clean Water Act will make it difficult for growers to know whether their fields contains jurisdictional areas that are subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting requirements.

CLA President and CEO Jay Vroom said the rule, which was signed into law by President Obama on May 27, 2015, extends federal oversight into areas not noted before, such as “prairie potholes,” and increases regulation while failing to protect the water supply.

“We urge the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers to engage in a genuine dialogue with all stakeholders, big and small, to develop a clean water strategy that benefits our nation,” Vroom said.

He said the current solution offered by EPA is not a realistic or appropriate step forward.

“All of agriculture must be a part of this conversation,” Vroom said. “Through true collaboration, we can better protect our water supply for future generations.”