Stressing that California farmers and ranchers take pride in caring for natural resources, the president of the California Farm Bureau Federation welcomed today’s release of a revised “waters of the United States” rule by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

“We will review the proposal carefully in the hope it will restore balance to enforcement of the Clean Water Act,” CFBF President Jamie Johansson said. “The existing WOTUS rule has produced little beyond confusion and litigation, and has undermined farmers’ efforts to work cooperatively with government agencies to protect water and land.”

Farm Bureau has advocated for a rewrite of the 2015 WOTUS rule because of the extensive authority it gave to federal agencies to regulate routine farming activities.

“Farmers want to do the right thing for the land, water and other natural resources under their care,” Johansson said. “Doing the right thing and complying with the law should be clear and easy to understand. We hope the new Clean Water Rule will provide the clarity farmers and ranchers need to allow the continued production of food and farm products while conserving natural resources.”

The California Farm Bureau Federation works to protect family farms and ranches on behalf of nearly 36,000 members statewide and as part of a nationwide network of nearly 5.6 million Farm Bureau members.

Congressman cheers

U.S. Rep. Doug LaMalfa, R-Calif., a member of the House of Representatives' Agriculture and Natural Resources committees as well as a subcommittee on water, power and oceans, says the administration's new rule provides more certainty for land owners and farmers across the nation.

“After listening to those directly impacted by one of the previous Administration’s most harmful rules, the EPA is replacing WOTUS with something that actually makes sense for land and business owners," LaMalfa says. "Instead of attempting to needlessly regulate every puddle, ditch, and furrow in America, the new rule will focus on bodies of water and wetlands that are physically and meaningfully connected to other bodies of jurisdictional water.

"Now, those driving our economy will spend less time and money on land-use decisions and litigation and more time on running their business. States will finally have a clear definition of where federal jurisdiction ends and begins, as well as the ability to properly manage their own water. WOTUS was nothing short of a job-killing Washington power grab, and I’m glad to see it replaced with something that works.”

LaMalfa has fought the WOTUS rule since its inception, sponsoring legislation to defund it while working with the Agriculture Committee and Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to roll back the regulation.

Shortly after taking office, President Donald Trump issued an Executive Order requiring the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers to begin dismantling the Obama era WOTUS rule.

In 2017, LaMalfa rallied the Chairmen of the Agriculture and Judiciary Committees to urge the Administration to review the case of California farmer John Duarte, who, thanks to the WOTUS rule, is facing $2.8 million in penalties simply for plowing his fields.

 LaMalfa is a lifelong rice farmer representing California’s First Congressional District, including Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou and Tehama Counties.

Sources: California Farm Bureau Federation, Office of U.S. Rep. Doug LaMalfa