The American Farm Bureau Federation, the Texas Farm Bureau and other members of a broad industry and agricultural coalition have asked a federal district court in Texas to issue a nationwide stay blocking the Obama administration’s illegal 2015 “Waters of the U.S.” rule from taking effect on farms and ranches across the nation. The race to the courthouse follows the …
Groups Want Injunction Against WOTUS Rule
The National Pork Producers Council and a diverse coalition of agricultural and business groups late Wednesday (2/7/2018) – in the case American Farm Bureau Federation, et. al. vs. the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – filed a request in federal court for a nationwide preliminary injunction against enforcement of the Obama administration’s Waters of the United States (WOTUS) Rule. The Clean …
EPA Administrator Pruitt Talks Environmental Outcomes Across the State of Florida
TALLAHASSEE, FLA – Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt traveled across Florida and met with stakeholders to discuss environmental goals and protections. “The Sunshine State is a vital provider of American agriculture, energy and manufacturing, and it’s essential we hear directly from rural Floridians,” said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. “Today’s dialogue is particularly important as we focus …
EPA, Army Corps, Sign WOTUS Delay
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt has signed an order to block the Waters of the U.S. Rule. A hold of the rule placed in 2015 will soon be lifted by a federal appeals court following the Supreme Court ruling that says jurisdiction of the rule lies in federal district courts, not appeals courts. Pruitt appeared at the National …
Farm Bureau Applauds Delay of Unlawful WOTUS Rule
The following may be attributed to American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall: “The American Farm Bureau Federation applauds today’s action by the U.S. EPA and Army Corps of Engineers to delay implementation of the hopelessly vague 2015 rule that expansively defined ‘waters of the United States (WOTUS).’ That rule would have put a stranglehold on ordinary farming and ranching …
UF to Tackle Water Issues, Challenges at Annual Symposium
Water—how much we have, its quality and how we use it – is the one issue that touches every Florida resident and community. Scientists from North America will gather at the University of Florida to tackle water issues such as quantity, quality and conservation. UF hosts its sixth annual Water Institute Symposium on Feb. 6 and 7 at the Reitz …
EPA Sends WOTUS Delay Rule to White House
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has sent a final rule to the White House that would prevent the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) Rule from taking effect. The EPA rushed the rule to the White House because of the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling placing the legal jurisdiction of the rule in federal district courts, not federal appeals courts, where …
Partnership Formed to Improve U.S. Water Quality
A new partnership seeks to assess agricultural practices and strategies to further improve water quality in the United States. The Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, along with the Sand County Foundation, the Noble Research Institute and Farm Foundation, launched the National Agricultural Water Quality Practice Assessment this week. The groups say the assessment seeks to better understand how …
Agri View: Aquifers Water Dwindling
Everett Griner talks about the dwindling water levels of our underground aquifers in today’s Agri View. Aquifers Water Dwindling As long as I can remember all a farmer had to to irrigate his crops was drill a well and install well pumps, as well as conduct well water testing. There has always been an adequate supply of water in those …
Farm Bureau Statement on WOTUS Jurisdiction Decision
The following may be attributed to Ellen Steen, General Counsel of the American Farm Bureau Federation: “The U.S. Supreme Court ruled correctly that federal district courts—not federal courts of appeals—have jurisdiction to review the 2015 Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule. This Supreme Court decision brings greater clarity to an important issue that has bogged down the litigation over this …