The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Army Corps of Engineers published the revised Waters of the U.S. rule (WOTUS) in the Federal Register Wednesday. The publication means the revised rule will go into effect on March 20, 2023. EPA and the Army Corps announced the rule at the end of 2022, which will replace the Navigable Waters Protection Rule. At …
Ag Reacts to EPA, Army WOTUS Rule
NCBA Statement On New WOTUS Rule (NCBA/WASHINGTON/December 30, 2022) — The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) issued the following statement on the Biden administration’s finalized Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule. “For too long, farmers and ranchers have dealt with the whiplash of shifting WOTUS definitions. Today, the Biden administration sought to finalize a WOTUS definition that will protect both …
EPA and Army Finalize Rule Establishing Definition of WOTUS
In an issue of contention across the ag industry, and on the opposite side, environmental groups alike, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers have announced a final rule establishing a durable definition of “waters of the United States” (WOTUS). In a news release, the EPA and Army state that it will reduce uncertainty from changing regulatory …
EPA: New Biofuel Mandates Will Boost GHG in Short Term
A new EPA mandate will increase greenhouse gas emissions, but they say it’s only temporary. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed changes to the nation’s biofuel blending mandates through 2025 will cause a short-term increase in greenhouse gas emissions. However, agency documents also say the changes will yield long-term reductions. The new proposal …
Disappointed with EPA Decision
Various farm groups are disappointed with an EPA decision concerning the use of bio-fuels. Mark Oppold has more details.
Farmers, Ag Organizations Against EPA Proposal
More than 16,000 farmers and agricultural organizations recently united against EPA’s proposed revision to its 2020 atrazine registration review decision. The farmers and agricultural organizations representing corn, citrus, grain sorghum, sugar cane, and other crops, submitted comments calling for the agency to base decisions on credible scientific evidence. Efforts to help farmers speak out against the proposal were coordinated by …
NCBA Tracking Sackett v. EPA Case
The Supreme Court has been hearing oral arguments in the Sackett v. EPA case. This case considers the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) regulatory authority under the Clean Water Act and will directly impact the Biden administration’s ongoing “Waters of the U.S.” (WOTUS) rulemaking. This is the fourth time the court has considered the definition of WOTUS, and 6 of the 9 justices …
Peanut Producers Encouraged to Write Letters to EPA
Tri-State Peanut Specialists are encouraging peanut producers to write letters to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Tyron Spearman reports the EPA is trying to revoke on food use tolerances for remaining organic phosphates. Peanut producers are depending on two of them to fight Thrips in peanuts. Tyron Spearman has more on this.
EPA Regional Administrator Visits Urban Agriculture Sites in Metro Atlanta
Last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 4 Administrator Daniel Blackman visited two urban agriculture sites, Metro-Atlanta Urban Farm and an urban backyard farm created by the youngest organic farmer of Georgia. This visit highlighted the importance of urban agriculture’s role with the environment and community and showcased successful impact and outreach at all levels. “The contributions of community leaders …
Battle over Atrazine Continues
Late last month, the Environmental Protection Agency reopened the finalized reregistration of atrazine. The EPA proposes an extremely low ecological level of concern value for atrazine of just 3.4 parts per billion, down from the scientifically proven 15 parts per billion, according to Gary Marshall, Triazine Network Co-Chair and retired Missouri Corn Growers Association CEO. “In 2019, the EPA agreed …