Ag Headlines, Friday October 9, 2015

Nationwide WOTUS Injunction Granted

An appeals court has ordered a nationwide stay against the Waters of the U.S. Rule. The court decision says the rule could be overturned based on the merits of the lawsuits filed against the regulation. The Order was issued by the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court of Appeals against the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers on Friday. A three-judge panel voted 2-1 to stay implementation over concerns that the rule may cause a burden to state and federal governments, private parties and the public in general. The Court can claim jurisdiction over the many pending lawsuits against the controversial rule.

TPP Text Coming Soon

U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman said this week that the final text of the Trans-Pacific Partnership should be ready in the coming days, mentioning that it must be presented 30 days after the deal was reached. At that point, it will be available for lawmakers to review privately for up to 30 days before it is released to the public. Froman said in a White House press call that representatives from all countries involved in the massive trade deal are working on finalizing the text. Meanwhile, Canada’s Trade Minister is promising a provisional copy of the deal in “the next few days.” Canada’s CTV News reports Trade Minister Ed Fast made the comments this week. He also says the Canadian government has asked for the language translation to be "expedited" due to the federal election.

Oregon Ranchers Sent to Federal Prison as Terrorist

Two Oregon ranchers will serve five years in federal prison under terrorism statutes for setting preventative fires on their own land. Oregon rancher Dwight Hammond and his son, Steven have already served time in federal prison for the less-than-140 acres of Bureau of Land Management land that was accidentally impacted by the fires. Oregon Farm Bureau President Barry Bushue said “this is an example of gross government overreach, and the public should be outraged.” Oregon Farm Bureau says the verdict is also hypocritical given Bureau of Land Management’s own harm to public and private grazing lands, which goes without consequence. OFB says the decision will hurt the relationship many ranchers have worked to forge with the Bureau of Land Management and undermine the cooperative spirit most ranchers have brought to the bureau in helping the health of the range.

NAFB News