Beef Buzz News
Work on New WOTUS Rule Delayed by Government Shutdown as Window of Opportunity Closes
Tue, 08 Jan 2019 10:03:23 CST
This past month in December of 2018, the Trump Administration released its proposal for a revised version of the Waters of the United States rule that was implemented in 2015 by the US Environmental Protection Agency under the previous administration. The controversary and burdensome nature of the original version of the rule, of course, prompting this action by the Trump Administration to loosen some of the rule's restrictive policies and its infringement on private property rights. This is part of the process that has been going on for roughly a year and a half now, ever since President Trump took office. According to Scott Yager, chief environmental counsel for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, there is something of a limited window of opportunity to get a new rule in place and defended in federal court - as litigation over the matter is inevitable - before a potentially new administration takes over. In a recent interview with Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Farm Director Ron Hays, Yager says the clock is ticking and unfortunately right now with the partial government shutdown ongoing, this process is being delayed due to the temporary closure of the Federal Register, which the proposed new rule has not yet been filed with. He says each day that this shutdown continues, is another day lost in trying to advance the goal of finalizing a new WOTUS rule before the end of President Trump's first term.
"We've looked into it and actually played out that exact timeline of 'can you get this finalized and defended by the Department of Justice before a potential administration change in 2020.' I think that is feasible, but we're going to need the government to get back online so we can put this proposal in the Federal Register sooner rather than later," Yager said. "Every day that ticks by is one day less that we have to get this thing done in two years."
Yager is optimistic that the government shutdown will eventually be resolved and even with the setback of losing a few days- the difficulty in this process will stem from the issue's litigiousness brought on by opposing environmental groups that are likely to seek an agenda of 'sue and settle.' Yager explains this is a tactic favored by these groups, which have learned how to effectively advance their own interests by essentially regulating policy through the court system. However, the Trump Administration has made it clear that it will not be playing that game when it comes to making policy. Again, though, Yager says taking on these groups can be a monumental task.
"Take a look at Earth Justice, which is the litigation arm for environmental groups like Sierra Club. They have around 100 and some odd attorneys on staff whose whole jobs are to change environmental policy through the courts by suing the government," he said, invoking the comparison to NCBA which only employees two inhouse counsels. "So, we're fighting kind of a David and Goliath battle here and it's not going to end anytime soon. But, we're getting some successes under this Administration and successes that producers can really hang their hat on. So, we'll keep working on it and we'll see where we can get."
Listen to Yager and Hays continue their discussion on the process of getting a new WOTUS rule on the books and what challenges the Trump Administration faces in accomplishing that task, on today's Beef Buzz.
The Beef Buzz is a regular feature heard on radio stations around the region on the Radio Oklahoma Network and is a regular audio feature found on this website as well. Click on the LISTEN BAR below for today's show and check out our archives for older Beef Buzz shows covering the gamut of the beef cattle industry today.
Hear Yager and Hays continue their discussion on the process of getting a new WOTUS rule finalized
right-click to download mp3
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI
Beef News
January Cattle on Feed Report Three Percent Under Year Ago- Derrell Peel Says Tighter Supplies Will Be Around for Awhile Mon, 23 Jan 2023 05:15:04 CST
Derrell Peel Talks Latest Cattle on Feed Report- Showing Fewer Cattle on Feed, Lighter Placements and Stronger Marketings. Mon, 26 Dec 2022 08:19:00 CST
Kara Lee with Certified Angus Beef Tells Cattlemen 'Cut the Bull' Fri, 23 Dec 2022 14:30:39 CST
Beef Checkoff Utilizes Digital Marketing Techniques to Interact with Consumers Thu, 22 Dec 2022 16:02:51 CST
Beef Checkoff Research, Education, and Promotion Efforts Point Consumers to Beef Wed, 21 Dec 2022 16:15:46 CST
OSU Economist Derrell Peel Expects US Beef Export Strength to Continue Into the New Year Tue, 20 Dec 2022 08:00:35 CST
NPPC's Michael Formica Feeling Positive About Supreme Courts Upcoming Proposition 12 Decision Mon, 05 Dec 2022 10:08:27 CST
NCBA Fights to Improve Marketing Options for Cattle Producers Fri, 02 Dec 2022 09:58:28 CST
Chinese Consumers Continue to Grow Appetite for U.S. Beef Thu, 01 Dec 2022 09:23:49 CST
Merck Creates Value for Producers and Consumers with Technology and Biopharmaceuticals Wed, 30 Nov 2022 09:55:28 CST
NCBA’s Todd Wilkinson Ready to Fight Back Against Regulatory Overreach in the Cattle Industry Tue, 29 Nov 2022 10:13:33 CST
NCBA and PLC Call ESA Listing Plan of Lesser Prairie Chicken Punitive for Cattle Producers in Southern Plains Wed, 23 Nov 2022 14:51:02 CST
November Cattle on Feed Report Confirms October Pattern of Lower Placements and Tighter Cattle Numbers in Feedlots Tue, 22 Nov 2022 05:07:02 CST
Turning the Corner- OSU's Derrell Peel Sees Tighter Cattle Inventories into 2023 in Latest Cattle on Feed Report Mon, 21 Nov 2022 04:36:33 CST
Turning the Corner- OSU's Derrell Peel Sees Tighter Cattle Inventories into 2023 in Latest Cattle on Feed Report Mon, 21 Nov 2022 04:27:40 CST
Midterm Elections to Set Stage for What Can Be Expected in 2023 Farm Bill Mon, 07 Nov 2022 12:13:57 CST
USMEF's Dan Halstrom Remains Cautiously Optimistic about Strong Beef Demand Going Forward Thu, 03 Nov 2022 09:35:46 CDT
Economic Factors Create Hesitancy in Beef Plant Expansion Plans Wed, 02 Nov 2022 11:03:34 CDT
NCBA's Mike Simone Says Consumer Interest in Fake Meat is on the Decline Tue, 01 Nov 2022 11:41:02 CDT
Beef Remains Valued Product for Consumers as it Allows Them to Stretch their Dollar Mon, 31 Oct 2022 09:15:56 CDT
Hugh Aljoe Provides Methods to Begin and Maintain Good Land Stewardship Fri, 28 Oct 2022 09:30:13 CDT
Implement Soil Health Practices Now to Increase Forage Production when Rains Come Thu, 27 Oct 2022 15:14:07 CDT
Third Beef. It's What's For Dinner. 300 Promotes the Beef Industry on a National Level Wed, 26 Oct 2022 15:32:23 CDT
Latest Cattle on Feed Report from USDA Implies Fewer Pounds of Beef Available in 2023 Tue, 25 Oct 2022 10:17:53 CDT
OSU's Derrell Peel- Lower Placements and Smaller On Feed Number Highlight October Cattle on Feed Report Sun, 23 Oct 2022 12:45:37 CDT
Beef Checkoff Research Continues to Share Beef Sustainability Story with Consumers Fri, 21 Oct 2022 09:23:36 CDT
Beef Checkoff Research Works to Ensure Consumers Beef is a Product They Can Trust Thu, 20 Oct 2022 13:44:44 CDT
Odds for Significant Wheat Pasture Going Lower Daily in the Southern Plains Wed, 19 Oct 2022 14:35:46 CDT
NCBA Weighs in on California's Proposition 12 Tue, 18 Oct 2022 11:32:24 CDT
2022 Stockyards Steak Out Takes Oklahoma Beef to the Next Level Mon, 17 Oct 2022 11:09:07 CDT
Holding Onto Your Cow Herd a Little Longer is Projected to Pay Off, says Randy Blach Fri, 14 Oct 2022 08:14:05 CDT
Randy Blach Confident in Better Cattle Market Conditions Down the Road Thu, 13 Oct 2022 09:43:02 CDT
No Imports or Exports Would Result in a Smaller U.S. Beef Cattle Industry Wed, 12 Oct 2022 16:11:15 CDT
Derrell Peel Explains Why International Trade of Beef is Valuable Tue, 11 Oct 2022 08:19:29 CDT
Animal Agriculture Hopeful for a Win as U.S. Supreme Court Looks at California's Proposition 12 Mon, 10 Oct 2022 09:26:17 CDT