The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association released a video featuring Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt, in which Pruitt urges farmers and ranchers to submit official comments on the repeal of the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule before the Agency’s deadline of Monday, Aug. 28, 2017. “When comments are made a part of a record – as rule-making – we have an …
Army Corps Gives Input in Florida-Georgia Water War
by Lloyd Dunkelberger, News Service of Florida The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, a key player in Florida’s decades-old legal fight with Georgia over water flow in the Apalachicola River, has weighed into the pending case before the U.S. Supreme Court. The federal agency’s comments, which were filed in a brief Monday, are important because a special master has recommended …
WOTUS Comment Period Ends August 28
It was announced back at the end of June by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt that the EPA had sent its repeal of the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule to the federal register, thus beginning the process of ending the regulation. A comment period on WOTUS has been open but it will end August 28th. National Cattlemen’s …
New Leader Picked for South Florida Water Management District
by Jim Turner, News Service of Florida A key player on Everglades issues was elevated Monday to become executive director of the South Florida Water Management District, replacing Pete Antonacci who is leaving to become Gov. Rick Scott’s top business recruiter. The district’s Governing Board unanimously agreed during a teleconference to promote Ernie Marks, district director of Everglades policy and …
EPA, U.S. Army Move to Rescind 2015 “Waters of the U.S.”
The Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Army, and Army Corps of Engineers (the agencies) are proposing a rule to rescind the Clean Water Rule and re-codify the regulatory text that existed prior to 2015 defining “waters of the United States” or WOTUS. This action would, when finalized, provide certainty in the interim, pending a second rulemaking in which the agencies …
EWG Study Finds High Nitrate Levels in Rural Drinking Water Systems
The Environmental Working Group says rural water systems have high levels of nitrates. A new report and database released by EWG this week found that the 30 utilities with the distinction of the highest nitrate contamination in tests between 2010 and 2015 all exceeded the legal limit. And all 30 served small populations in rural, farm-based economies, according to Politico. …
Army Corps Needs More Time on Negron Reservoir
by Jim Turner, News Service of Florida Federal assistance may be on the way for the state’s latest Everglades restoration effort. But the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says it will need another month to figure out how to join in Senate President Joe Negron’s plan for a reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee. Col. Jason Kirk, the Florida commander for …
Agri View: Water Rights Problems
Everett Griner talks about the water rights issue getting tough in today’s Agri View. WOTUS. You may never have heard that word. That is W-O-T-U-S. That’s Waters of The United States. The program is backed by our Federal Government. It is a word that farmers know well. Just because there is a flowing stream, or a natural …
Hydroponics to Improve Yield, Minimize Water Use
Hydroponic growing systems are a means for growers to potentially improve yield, says Dr. Davie Kadyampakeni, an assistant professor at the Citrus Research and Education Center at the University of Florida. These systems are a way for farmers to grow crops without soil by using water and a nutrient solution. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Alternative Farming Systems Information Center …
EAA Farmers Achieve Another Year of Water Quality Success for the Everglades
Environmental Agency Announces Everglades Agricultural Area Reduced Phosphorus by Nearly 3 Times the Goal The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) announced that farmers in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) achieved another successful year of water-quality success, announcing a 70 percent reduction in phosphorous for Water Year 2017. The reduction is nearly three times the 25 percent reduction goal set …