• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

To Honor and Protect the Ranching Way of Life

  • Home
  • Who We Are
    • Why Join
    • Leadership
    • Staff
    • TSCRA Partners
    • FAQs
    • Newsroom
    • Sponsorships
    • Employment
  • What We Do
    • Theft and Law
    • Issues and Policy
    • Education
    • Young Cattle Raisers
    • The Cattleman Magazine
    • Disaster Relief Fund
    • Cattle Raisers Insurance
    • Cattle Raisers Trading Co
    • Students and Youth
  • Events
    • Cattle Raisers Convention
    • Summer Meeting
    • Policy Conference
    • Ranch Gatherings
    • Ranching 101
  • Join
  • Member Center
  • TSCRA Store
  • Show Search
Hide Search

TSCRA applauds delay of WOTUS rule

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of the Army have finalized a rule adding an applicability date to the 2015 Clean Water Rule. This rule provides clarity and certainty about which definition of “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) is applicable nationwide in response to judicial actions that could result in confusion. The new applicability date will be two years after this Feb. 1 action is published in the Federal Register, during which time both agencies will continue the process of reconsidering the 2015 Rule.
“Today, EPA is taking action to reduce confusion and provide certainty to America’s farmers and ranchers,” said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. “The 2015 WOTUS rule developed by the Obama administration will not be applicable for the next two years, while we work through the process of providing long-term regulatory certainty across all 50 states about what waters are subject to federal regulation.”
Richard Thorpe, president of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA), issued a statement Thursday applauding the EPA and Administrator Pruitt “for their action to formally delay the overreaching Obama-era WOTUS rule. The delay will give administration officials time to craft a new version of the rule. We look forward to working with EPA to ensure the replacement does not harm the men and women who raise our beef.”
The 2015 Rule, which redefined the scope of where the Clean Water Act applies, had an effective date of Aug. 28, 2015. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit’s nationwide stay halted implementation of the 2015 Rule. But the Supreme Court determined in January that the U.S. Courts of Appeals do not have original jurisdiction to review these challenges and, therefore, the Sixth Circuit lacked authority to issue a stay. Given the uncertainty about litigation in multiple district courts over the 2015 Rule, this action provides much-needed certainty and clarity to the regulated community during the ongoing regulatory process.
Thursday’s final rule is separate from the two-step process the agencies are currently taking to reconsider the 2015 Rule. The public comment period for the Step 1 rule proposing to rescind the 2015 Rule closed in September 2017, and those comments are currently under review by the agencies. EPA and the Army are also in the process of reviewing input from state, local, and tribal governments and other stakeholders as they work to develop a proposed Step 2 rule that would revise the definition of “waters of the United States.”
To read more about the WOTUS rule at the EPA, click or tap here

 

Written by:
kristin
Published on:
February 1, 2018

Categories: Issues & Policy, Natural Resources, The Cattleman NowTags: environment

Recent Posts

2023 Cattle Raisers Roundup attendees announced by Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

June 2, 2023

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) selected 24 young beef industry leaders …

Continue Reading about 2023 Cattle Raisers Roundup attendees announced by Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

Texas direct hay report for June 2

June 2, 2023

Compared to the last report: Hay prices continue to remain firm in all regions. First cutting of …

Continue Reading about Texas direct hay report for June 2

Texas, Oklahoma weekly livestock auction summaries for June 2

June 2, 2023

Texas Compared to last week: Feeder steers and heifers sold mostly steady to 5.00 higher. Trade …

Continue Reading about Texas, Oklahoma weekly livestock auction summaries for June 2

Footer

Who We Are

Why Join
Leadership
Staff
TSCRA Partners
FAQs
Newsroom
Sponsorships
Employment

What We Do

Theft and Law
Issues and Policy
Education
Young Cattle Raisers
The Cattleman Magazine
Cattle Raisers Insurance
Cattle Raisers Trading Co.
Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

Information

Cattle Raisers Blog
News Releases
Bereavements
Events
Media Kit
Tip Hotline
Get Involved
Links

Membership

Membership Center
Membership Center Instructions
Join
Renew
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

PO BOX 101988
FORT WORTH, TX 76185

1-800-242-7820

© 2023 Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association; All Rights Reserved.

COPYRIGHT | PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS OF USE