Farm groups ask Senate to revise WOTUS bill

A letter sent by the American Farm Bureau Federation and other farm groups to members of the Senate states issuing guidance will not fix the problems with the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) bill.

The letter asks the Senate “to direct the agencies not to implement the rule and initiate a new, more responsible, balance and lawful rule” if the opportunity arises. The letter said the American Farm Bureau Federation and other groups believe that if the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers issue guidance for the WOTUS rule, it will not help to address the flaws of the rule, as many of the flaws come from poor language used in the final draft of the bill.

The letter also said the WOTUS rule has "flaws and ambiguities that create confusion and uncertainty rather than provide clarity," and that the rule also contains "vague terms and concepts, despite the numerous comments received" and fails to define a number of key terms that are "critical for determining whether a feature is a regulated 'water of the United States'."

The letter's conclusion is that inconsistencies and confusion will persist until the rule’s language is changed.