Ag Headlines for Wednesday, September 20

Farm Bureau: Senate Report Shows Federal Clean Water Act Overreach

The American Farm Bureau Federation says Tuesday’s Senate report on the Clean Water Act proves the need for the Senate to act against the Waters of the U.S. rule. Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall says the case studies presented in the report reflect “the serious concerns” Farm Bureau has raised over the last two years. The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works released the report this week that Farm Bureau says exposes “reckless and unlawful actions in enforcing the Clean Water Act.” Farm Bureau alleges the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers have unlawfully stretched the limited authority Congress gave the agencies. Specifically, AFBF says through the Clean Water Act, the federal agencies have regulated ordinary plowing, a normal farming activity exempted by Congress, and claimed authority to regulate tire ruts and puddles found on the farm. Duvall says the report shows the Senate should reconsider the measure to stop the Waters of the U.S. rule “at its earliest opportunity.”

EPA Awards $4.8 million to Research Water Quality Benefits

The Environmental Protection Agency Tuesday awarded $4.8 million to six universities to study the benefits of water quality. The funding is available for the universities to work with local communities to better understand the economic value of water quality. Thomas Burke of the EPA’s Research and Development office says the grants will “help measure the costs and benefits of improving water quality.” In a news release, the EPA says chemical and microbial contaminants continue to reduce the quality of water – and often at a rate that outpaces water quality improvements from regulatory actions. The grants were awarded to Clark University of Massachusetts, New Jersey’s Dartmouth College, The University of Connecticut, North Carolina State University, Michigan State University and Iowa State University.

Source:  NAFB News