TSCRA made the following statement Thusday after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the United States Army Corps of Engineers issued a memorandum withdrawing their Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) interpretive rule.

“While I am pleased the EPA withdrew this component of their flawed water rule proposal, it doesn’t address the overall issue and it actually wasn’t their decision to take this action,” said Pete Bonds, TSCRA President. “Instead, Congress had to pass a bill and force their hand to scrap this small part of the larger overreaching EPA water rule proposal.  

“Ranchers and landowners across the country continue to speak loud and clear in opposition to EPA’s attempt to control every drop of water on their land. I am disappointed that the agency continues to ignore the concerns of those who work extremely hard to feed our country.

“TSCRA applauds Congressional leaders for their continued efforts to rein in the EPA, and we appreciate the many cattle raisers and landowners who continue calling their elected officials to voice their concerns.  

“This decision is a step forward; however, we still have our work cut out for us. There is no doubt that the EPA will continue full force ahead to implement their larger water rule proposal. We must continue to be diligent and work to stop them from implementing rules that create onerous government regulations that take away ranchers’ and landowners’ private property rights.

“TSCRA will continue striving to make sure rules harmful to cattle raisers and landowners are not implemented.”