2018 Spring Farm

2018 Logan County Farm Outlook Magazine LINCOLN DAILY NEWS March 22, 2018 Page 33 in legitimate science. None of those words describe the WOTUS rule that is in question.” Meanwhile, in Washington a new President took office and EPAAdministrator McCarthy was replaced by Scott Pruitt. In February of 2017, President Trump introduced an executive order that the EPA and U.S. Corp of Engineers revisit the Clean Water Rule “and shall review rescinding or revising the rule, as appropriate and consistent with law.” Those charged with the task include the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and the assistant secretary of the Army for Civil Works, and the heads of all executive departments and agencies by executive order “shall review all orders, rules, regulations, guidelines, or policies implementing or enforcing the final rule.” In August of 2017, the new EPA Director, Scott Pruitt issued a statement pertaining to WOTUS that reflected the EPA would move forward, respecting the impact WOTUS rules could have on the farming industry, “We recognize that the agricultural industry and farmers and ranchers were among the first to care about the environment,” adding, “Farmers care about the water they drink and the air which they breathe.” Pruitt acknowledged that over the past few years, many in agriculture often viewed EPA as an adversary, not a partner. Pruitt said, “Part of what we need to do going forward, is work together.” He said, “That includes working with not only ag interests, but also state governments and state agencies to protect the environment while allowing farmers and ranchers to do what they know how to do better than anyone else.” On January 22, 2018, the Supreme Court made a decision that the courts of appeals do not have original jurisdiction to review the 2015 Rule, and, therefore, do not have original jurisdiction to issue a nationwide stay of the 2015 Rule. On February 6, 2018, the EPA rule was amended to include an effective date of February 6, 2020. The document states, “This amendment gives the agencies the time needed to reconsider the definition of “waters of the United States.” So, what will the end result be? At this point Continue 8