This past week, NCBA and state cattle groups from across the US- including the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association, the Texas Cattle Feeders and TSCRA– filed comments generally supportive of efforts made by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers to propose a Waters of the United States (WOTUS) definition that contemplates Congressional intent, Supreme Court precedent and scientific data.
“America’s cattlemen need an easy-to-understand WOTUS definition that allows for straightforward implementation, and the Agencies have taken significant strides toward achieving this goal,” the comments stated.
However, the groups also recommended changes that would improve the definition and provide additional clarity for landowners and regulators.
“After over 50 years of jurisdictional tug-of-war between the Supreme Court and the Agencies, regulated stakeholders want nothing more than consistency in the [Clean Water] Act’s application. In the final rule, cattle producers need a practical and interpretable WOTUS definition,” the comments stated.
The cattle groups, on numerous occasions, have submitted comments, engaged in stakeholder meetings and led legislative efforts to protect private property rights and ensure that the WOTUS definition was not illegally expanded and weaponized against cattle producers.
Read the full letter below:
