Charles Shinn, Director of Government & Community Affairs

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently rolled out an updated version of the Waters of the U.S. (Clean Water) Rule that adds clarity to federal laws governing water quality while rolling back the egregious federal overreach from the Obama-era rule that remains in the Federal District Courts.

In a recent op-ed for The Country Today on the year ahead, American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall wrote, “One new beginning in particular that agriculture is looking forward to this year is a new clean water rule — one that promises to be rooted in common sense. Thanks to the resolve of the Trump administration, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers, America’s farmers and ranchers can expect a new clean water rule that both protects our nation’s water and provides clear rules for everyone to follow.”

Florida’s farmers and ranchers are vitally concerned about clean water and are making great strides to improve water quality on their farms and ranches. This new rule provides clear interpretation so they can continue to improve the environment while growing the crops that we all rely on to stay healthy.

Many activist groups that favor over-reaching regulations and legal challenges will have massive campaigns to stop this rule. Your public comment is needed to ensure that common sense prevails!

Please take a moment to go here to submit your comments at the bottom of the webpage. There are suggested comments and you are encouraged to personalize the information to make the comments applicable to your farming operation.