August 2011 Articles

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Statement by Bob Stallman, President, American Farm Bureau Federation, Regarding

Statement by Bob Stallman, President, American Farm Bureau Federation, Regarding Congressional Opposition to Clean Water Act ‘Guidance’ WASHINGTON, D.C., April 18, 2011 – “The American Farm Bureau Federation appreciates the bipartisan support of 170 members of Congress in challenging ‘regulatory guidance’ that the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are considering for the Clean Water Act. The guidance would take an overly broad view of ‘waters of the U.S.’ It would serve as a road map for EPA and the Corps to designate nearly all water bodies, and even some dry land, as subject to federal regulations that dictate land-use decisions. If unchecked, the guidance would lead to more Clean Water Act permitting requirements, more litigation and less economic growth at a time when our nation needs it most. “The proper procedure for putting federal policy in place is either by proposing formal rules after taking public comments into consideration or proposing legislation for Congress to consider. This current regulatory guidance effort for the Clean Water Act circumvents that process, implements controversial new policy and expands the federal government’s regulatory reach without public input or Congress’ authorization. We object to this attempt to rewrite the jurisdictional scope of the Clean Water Act and saddle farmers and ranchers with more unnecessary and expensive regulations. We commend all the members of Congress who are standing up for farmers and ranchers and other landowners by signing a letter to EPA and the Corps urging them to reconsider their proposed guidance, and we thank Reps. Bob Gibbs and Tim Holden for leading this effort.” Source: www.fb.org