Ag Community Praises Newly Proposed WOTUS Rule
The agricultural community is reacting strongly to the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers’ recent release of the newly proposed Waters of the U.S. Rule (WOTUS). After years of regulatory back-and-forth and ongoing legal disputes, many leaders in agriculture say the new proposal provides long-awaited clarity and relief for farmers, ranchers, and landowners.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins took to X to celebrate the announcement, posting, “The proposed WOTUS rule is a victory for rural America!!! Huge Thanks to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin for rolling back the heavy-handed and confusing WOTUS rules. Our Agricultural community is this country’s most ardent and dedicated advocate for conservation and our rules should treat them as a partner, NOT a villain!” Her comments echo a widespread belief within the industry that previous iterations of WOTUS created compliance confusion and exposed producers to burdensome regulations.
The House Committee on Agriculture also voiced strong approval, stating, “BIG WIN for America’s farmers! The new WOTUS proposal puts rural America first with a clearer, common-sense rule that protects our waters and ends confusing red tape.” The Committee’s response highlights two central priorities for farm groups: eliminating regulatory uncertainty and protecting water resources in a manner that works with—not against—those who manage the land daily.
Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Tyler Harper offered a similarly enthusiastic response. “For more than the last decade, conflicting WOTUS rules have created significant uncertainty for American farmers and have been the mechanism for a shocking amount of federal government overreach. I’m grateful to the Trump Administration for proposing a WOTUS rule that is grounded in common sense and delivers clarity that farmers, ranchers, and other landowners have desperately needed. This another important step toward fixing America’s Ag economy and restoring rural prosperity!”
Across the agricultural sector, the tone is clear: leaders view the newly proposed WOTUS rule as a return to regulatory clarity, reduced government overreach, and stronger alignment between federal agencies and rural America. As the rule moves forward in the review process, farmers and stakeholders will continue watching closely to ensure the final version reflects practical, workable guidelines that support both conservation and agricultural productivity.
Audio Reporting by Dale Sandlin for Southeast AgNet.