Stallman, continued
Wilfong, continued
We Read the Fine Print
When regulators show up on farms and ranches, they
won’t be looking back at talking points to decide whether
farming requires an expensive federal permit. They will
use the regulation. So let’s take a look at the fine print.
the administration’s “Deferred Action for Childhood
Arrivals” executive order, putting the focus on border
security, allowing states more authority to use National
Guard troops and providing funding. Unfortunately, the
Senate recessed without considering the legislation. The
president has also vowed to veto the bill.
Ditches—The rule regulates ditches as “tributaries.”
EPA claims that the rule would exclude ditches, but the
so-called ditch exclusion only covers ditches dug entirely
in “uplands.” The rule doesn’t define “uplands” (so much
for clarity), but we know that uplands are not wetlands,
and most ditches are “wetland” at some point along their
length. That’s just one reason Farm Bureau believes the
narrow ditch “exclusion” will be meaningless.
Farming exemptions—EPA offers assurances that all
farming and ranching exemptions are being preserved
under the rule. But those exemptions are extremely
limited when it comes to activities in jurisdictional
waters. That’s why the exemptions will not protect most
ordinary farming and ranching from permit requirements
if ditches and low spots in farm fields are regulated, as
they will be under the proposed rule.
President Obama now says he will issue sweeping
executive orders to deal with the immigration problem.
It appears these orders will include amnesty for millions
of illegal immigrants, subverting the proper immigration
system. The Constitution is clear in giving Congress sole
authority to control immigration policy, but it appears the
president intends to violate that authority yet again.
On July 31, the WVFB Board of Directors voted to
send a letter to all of our Congressional representatives,
stating our adamant support for stopping illegal
immigration and securing our southern border. Please
join us in this effort.
Under the rule, federal permits would be needed for
common farming activities such as applying fertilizer
or pesticides, or moving cattle, if materials that are
considered pollutants would fall into regulated low spots
or ditches. Farmers can’t wait for federal permits to
fertilize or protect their crops from pests and diseases.
Permits also would be required for activities such as
plowing, planting and fencing in these new “waters of
the U.S.” unless a farmer has been farming the same land
for decades, raising hurdles for beginning farmers.
Landowners could be in for a rude awakening—
faced with penalties or lawsuits for the very things
EPA says the rule doesn’t cover. Farm Bureau is
dedicated to preventing that from happening, and we
thank those leaders in the House and Senate who, in
a bipartisan manner, are standing up for farmers and
other landowners.
We hope EPA officials will read the fine print. We
have, and that’s how we know it’s time to Ditch the Rule!
FAIRMONT
TRAILER CITY INC
877-966-7104
www.TrailerCityInc.com
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS
HERITAGE FEATHERLITE
800-518-7743
www.heritagefeatherlite.com
West Virginia Farm Bureau News 21