Walden, Ore. Farm Bureau cheer Trump move on EPA rule

Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore., and the Oregon Farm Bureau cheered news Tuesday that President Trump had signed an executive order directing the Environmental Protection Agency to review the controversial Obama administration “Waters of the United States” rule.

Here’s what Walden had to say:

“Today, the President took the first step to ditch this awful rule. Finally, we have a president who actually listens to rural Oregon communities.

“This is a big victory for farmers, ranchers, and property owners in rural Oregon and throughout the nation. The flawed WOTUS rule would have expanded federal authority over virtually any water in the nation, including canals, irrigation ditches, vernal pools, and stock ponds. I have long said that this blatant federal overreach would drastically increase uncertainty and threaten jobs and livelihoods throughout the West.”

And here’s the statement issued by Oregon Farm Bureau Federation President Barry Bushue:

“We applaud President Trump for listening to thousands of farmers and ranchers around the nation when he signed an executive order today telling the Environmental Protection Agency to ditch the onerous Waters of the U.S. rule.

“President Trump’s order reaffirms both a Supreme Court decision and Congressional action that had already made it very clear to EPA that WOTUS was far beyond the lawful bounds of the Clean Water Act. This was a case of extreme federal overreach by EPA to the detriment of America’s farm and ranch families.

“The WOTUS rule would’ve expanded federal government control over private property, including ditches, ephemerals, small ponds, and even dry farmland. Farmers and ranchers would’ve had to apply for a costly permit to do even basic work on their land or be at risk for enormous fines and lawsuits.

“Farm Bureau took the lead on fighting WOTUS, and we thank the hundreds of Oregon Farm Bureau members who met with federal lawmakers, spoke with agency representatives, wrote letters, emailed, and made calls to explain how this rule would have hurt their family businesses.

“Every day farmers and ranchers work very hard to conserve water and protect water quality because their livelihood depends on it, and it’s the right thing to do. The EPA’s attempt at jurisdictional overreach would have been devastating to family agriculture in Oregon. We thank the Trump administration for listening to and respecting rural voices on this critical issue.”