The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced two weeks ago their intent to repeal and rewrite the definition of the Trump-era Navigable Waters Protection Rule (NWPR), which of course replaced the Obama-era Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule. A review of the rule, requested by President Joe Biden, claims stakeholders are seeing destructive impacts to critical water bodies.
Various farm groups are concerned with EPA Administrator Michael Regan’s announcement that they intend to revise the NWPR, and that includes the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. NCBA President Jerry Bohn told Southeast AgNet last week they’ve been assured this will not go back to the old WOTUS rule.
The EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers said the new rule will reflect input from landowners, agriculture, and state and local governments, along with environmental groups.