Louisiana farmers and agriculture advocates say President Donald Trump’s effort to rescind an Obama-era water regulation would remove the biggest regulatory threat to their industry.
As the USA Today Network of Louisiana reports, Trump this week directed the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to review the “Waters of the United States” rule, paving the way for the rule’s elimination.
“It’s as big a threat as we have ever had,” Louisiana Farm Bureau President Ronnie Anderson says. “I don’t think ag could survive it to be honest with you. It’s huge for us if this can be rolled back.”
The 2015 rule—which hasn’t been fully implemented because it has been tied up in the courts—expanded the waters under the jurisdiction of the federal Clean Water Act, which was originally interpreted to protect navigable waterways like rivers and streams from pollution.
Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says the rule gives overarching jurisdiction to the EPA over virtually all water and land in Louisiana.
“I’ve seen figures where it could cost Louisiana farmers as much as $500 million if it were fully implemented,” he says. “I’ve been fighting WOTUS since it came out.”
Acadiana farmers Richard Fontenot says he doesn’t believe his business will survive into the next generation if the rule isn’t overturned. But environmental groups like the Sierra Club plan to fight Trump’s attempt in court. The Obama administration had said the rule would protect the water supply of 117 million Americans.
