Several Ag Groups were critical of the Biden Administration move this past week to permanently remove the NWPR as they move towards yet another version of a clean water rule. Here are some of the comments that came in on Friday:

Scott Yager, chief environmental counsel National Cattlemen's Beef Association: “The NWPR was a solution to the disastrous 2015 ‘Waters of the United States’ (WOTUS) rule that vastly expanded federal jurisdiction over small, isolated water features. NCBA supported the NWPR and was disappointed when it was struck down in court."

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall: “AFBF is disappointed EPA is returning to an overly complicated interim water rule. Overreaching regulations create major permit backlogs for the federal government and result in long delays for farmers and ranchers who are working to keep America fed.”

National Cotton Council Chairman Kent Fountain: NWPR needs an opportunity to work because it provides agriculture a commonsense and understandable rule that “not only ensures environmental and human health but protects farmland and the right to conduct farming operations in a responsible and economically sustainable manner with flexibility.”

National Corn Growers Association President Chris Edgington: “We are extremely disappointed that this administration is taking us backward by removing a rule that has provided certainty for farmers who are working to feed and power America.”