Pulaski Times

As the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reviews federal water protection regulations, U.S. Senator John Boozman of Arkansas is calling for consistency after years of regulatory changes. Boozman, along with other lawmakers, met with EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin at the agency's headquarters where Zeldin announced plans to revise the "waters of the United States" rule. The goal is to provide "clarity, simplicity and improvements that will stand the test of time."

The revision follows a May 2023 U.S. Supreme Court decision that limited the EPA's authority under the Clean Water Act to navigable waterways such as rivers and streams with a "continuous surface connection" to larger bodies of water.

Both former President Obama and current President Biden aimed to expand federally protected waterways, while during Donald Trump's presidency, protections were reduced. Boozman emphasized that federal jurisdiction should be limited to navigable waters but noted that over time this definition has broadened significantly.

A key part of the EPA's review process will involve consulting stakeholders like farmers and community leaders. Zeldin stated that the intention is not to redefine protected waterways in an activist manner but rather align them with input from various groups and recent court decisions.

Boozman highlighted feedback from agricultural producers who have expressed confusion over changing definitions in his farm bill roundtables. He remarked on the challenges faced by farmers due to uncertainty in regulations: "You can play with bad rules, you can play with good rules. If you don't know what the rules are, you simply can't play."

American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall praised Zeldin's announcement as a positive step for farmers and ranchers struggling in a challenging agricultural economy. Duvall stressed that clarity in regulations would help rural communities by supporting their agricultural sectors.

Conversely, Earthjustice criticized potential revisions, suggesting they could weaken enforcement against polluters and harm public health. Julian Gonzalez from Earthjustice argued that recent legal decisions have already undermined clean water protections for many wetlands and streams.

The Senate Agriculture Committee, chaired by Boozman, has been addressing issues within the agricultural economy this Congress through hearings involving producers affected by outdated policies.