NMPF Applauds WOTUS Repeal
September 12, 2019
ARLINGTON, VA. – The National Milk Producers Federation applauds the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to repeal the controversial 2015 Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule. This decision eases regulatory burdens and aims to provide greater clarity for farmers in the future.
Signed February 28, 2017, the Executive Order, “Restoring the Rule of Law, Federalism, and Economic Growth by Reviewing the ‘Waters of the United States Rule’,” initiated the process to review and revise WOTUS. A notice to permanently repeal the 2015 rule followed, which led to an open public comment period that ended August 13, 2018. The decision to repeal re-codifies the regulatory text that existed prior to the 2015 rule and provides certainty while regulatory agencies work to revise the definition.
Citing the many ambiguities and uncertainties of EPA’s then-proposed rule, NMPF urged the EPA to rethink it in 2014. In its analysis, NMPF found that the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers’ proposal did not meet the requirements of various Supreme Court rulings that were the catalyst for the 2015 regulation.
NMPF is pleased to see the 2015 WOTUS rule officially repealed and remains committed to working with the EPA as they draft the new WOTUS definition.
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The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), based in Arlington, VA, develops and carries out policies that advance dairy producers and the cooperatives they own. NMPF’s member cooperatives produce more than two-thirds of U.S. milk, making NMPF dairy’s voice on Capitol Hill and with government agencies. For more, visit www.nmpf.org.
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