Under the Clean Water Act, certain activities that impact navigable waters defined as “waters of the US (WOTUS)”  are required to have a federal non-discharge (NPDES) permit that could restrict activities in these areas.  In 2020, through the efforts of many landowners, farmers, business and agricultural groups, the Navigable Waters Protection Rule (NWPR) went into effect. This rule fixed the problems of the 2015 WOTUS Rule, bringing clarity to farm owners.  Under the commonsense NWPR, farmers have delivered positive environmental benefits.  On December 7, 2021, the EPA and the Army Corps proposed a new WOTUS rule that would reverse the NWPR and bring back the troubling pre-2015 regulatory regime. Farm Bureau is urging EPA to recognize the burden that this overreaching regulation places on farmers, and to keep the term "navigable" in the Clean Water Act regulations.  Now once again, we need you to be involved!  Please contact your members and ask them to write to protect the NWPR before February 7, 2022 and prevent a return to regulatory uncertainty.    Included below is a Farm Bureau link that enables you to tell EPA that you are opposed to the new WOTUS rule. 

Click here to send your comments to EPA!

Thanks in advance!

Mitch Peele

Sr. Director of Public Policy

NC Farm Bureau

919-788-1004 (office)

919-306-6314 (cell)

Twitter: @MitchPeele

mitch.peele@ncfb.org