The Environmental Protection Agency has defined the Waters of the United States rule with the Navigable Waters Protection Rule.

"Our new Navigable Waters Protection Rule strikes the proper balance between Washington and the states in managing land and water resources while protecting our nation’s navigable waters, and it does so within the authority Congress provided," said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler.

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Reaction has poured in. Here's a sip.

“The days are gone when the federal government can claim a small farm pond on private land as navigable waters,” Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said. “With reforms and deregulation, Americans once again have the freedom to innovate, create, and grow.”

Related:EPA ushers in new water rule

The rule "provides clarity and certainty, allowing farmers to understand water regulations without having to hire teams of consultants and lawyers," said American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall.

“We are pleased that this rule replaces the 2015 rule, which was cumbersome and confusing, and that new regulation will better provide certainty and clear direction for our farmers.” said Bill Gordon, soy grower from Worthington, Minn., and American Soybean Association president.

"This new rule gives the flexibility and clarity needed to implement stewardship practices without the threat of government action," said National Corn Growers Association President Kevin Ross. "The final WOTUS rule will protect our nation’s water and be implemented without confusion, welcome news for farmers."

"The new rule more clearly defines which waters are subject to federal jurisdiction and which waters are subject to state protection, clarity that was severely lacking in the 2015 rule," said The Fertilizer Institute Vice President of Stewardship and Sustainability Lara Moody.

Related:Can latest water rule withstand court challenges?

"The new rule clearly defines which waters are subject to federal jurisdiction and which waters are subject to state protection, clarity that was severely lacking in the 2015 rule," said The Fertilizer Institute Vice President of Stewardship and Sustainability Lara Moody.

“The new rule allows us as landowners to retain rights over our private property. The rule has been replaced with common sense regulations on our land,” said Ben Weinheimer, Texas Cattle Feeders Association."This allows us to conduct business while working to protect and conserve natural resources without unnecessary bureaucracy."