Texas farmers brace for new clean water rule

Local uncertainty abounds as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s new Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule kicks in on Sept. 1, extending the agency’s regulatory power to smaller bodies of water, including some streams that only flow after heavy precipitation. The changes mean more landowners may need to apply for permits for work affecting water that now falls under federal jurisdiction. But some environmental law experts say the rule is so broad that it’s unclear which farmers, ranchers and landowners will be affected. Read more at The Texas Tribune…