The House of Representatives Agriculture Committee held a hearing today regarding the impacts of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) actions on the rural economy. EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy was the hearing’s sole witness. The hearing showed a continued broad opposition to the controversial “Waters of the United States” Rule (WOTUS), which already is faced with a number of legal challenges … Read More
Cattlemen Committed to Killing WOTUS
As expected, President Obama yesterday vetoed a disapproval resolution passed by Congress that would have nullified the controversial clean water rule by EPA, better known as Waters of the U.S. or WOTUS. “Because this resolution seeks to block the progress represented by this rule and deny businesses and communities the regulatory certainty and clarity needed to invest in projects that … Read More
NCBA Urges House to Support Disapproval of WOTUS
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and Public Lands Council, along with 42 state affiliate organizations, have sent a letter to the House of Representatives urging support of Senate Joint Resolution 22, disapproval of the EPA and Army Corps’ “waters of the United States” rule. NCBA President Philip Ellis, said withdrawal or defunding of WOTUS remains a top priority for cattlemen. … Read More
USDA Helps Iowa in Nutrient Management & Water Quality
USDA to help Iowa’s farmers and livestock producers conserve water and soil resources and improve nutrient management practices. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said they will expand access to USDA’s signature conservation programs for Iowa producers, making available up to 85,000 additional acres for sensitive lands, and better target grants and loans for technical assistance and capital improvements, while working with … Read More
EPA's WOTUS Social Media Campaign Judged Illegal
In a legal opinion released on Monday, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) “violated publicity or propaganda and anti-lobbying provisions contained in appropriations acts with its use of certain social media platforms in association with its Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rulemaking.” According to the GAO: Specifically, EPA violated the publicity or propaganda … Read More
NPPC Discusses WOTUS At #NAFB15
The nation’s pork producers used Trade Talk at the 2015 National Association of Farm Broadcasters (NAFB) Convention as an opportunity to discuss the impact of several major US policy and trade decisions that recently went into effect, and highlighted ways the pork industry is getting involved. John Weber, President-Elect for the National Pork Producers Council(NPPC), sat down with AgWired, giving … Read More
Senate Passes #WOTUS Resolution
By a vote of 53-44, the U.S. Senate passed a joint “resolution of disapproval” of the EPA Clean Water rule known as ‘Waters of the United States’ (WOTUS). Resolution sponsor Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) says the action would “put an end to” the expanded EPA rule. “Our resolution stops the EPA from continuing to act as an unchecked federal agency … Read More
Grazing Lands Conference to Focus on Innovation
The upcoming 6th National Conference on Grazing Lands Dec. 13-16, 2015, in Grapevine, Texas is hosted by the National Grazing Lands Coalition. The conference brings together people who are passionate about innovation and the exchange of ideas, as well as information on grazing land environmental and economic practices and issues. One of several agriculture industry innovators that will be featured … Read More
USPOULTRY Challenging EPA’s Clean Water Rule
U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) joined a broad coalition, made up of agricultural and industry groups, in a lawsuit that seeks to vacate the controversial “Clean Water Rule” issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Corps of Engineers earlier this year. On June 28, 2015, EPA and the Corp issued the final rule despite the submission of … Read More
John Block Report – EPA Overreach
John Block reports each week from Washington and this week he is tackling the topic we are all still talking about…the EPA’s overreach. Andy Johnson of Fort Bridger, WY is being sued by the EPA for $37,500 per day for a stock pond on his farm. Before building the pond Johnson obtained a state permit, which Wyoming Governor, Matt Mead, … Read More