Letter to the Editor

Stop the EPA

Letter to the Editor:

     In the past few decades, farmers have changed their farming practices to help the environment: tillage practices have been changed to save soil loss, the use of cover crops has reduced nutrient loss, and modern tiling practices have allowed water to drain away underground without harming the soil.

     Farmers face a lot of scrutiny with the current government regulations on applying manure to fields. Additional government regulation regarding farming practices is burdensome on farmers, especially at a time when commodity prices have fallen in the last few months.

     The EPA has proposed new legislation that changes the definition of the “Waters of the US.” The comment period has been extended to end in mid-November before this new ruling may go into effect. This new proposed ruling changes the definition by giving more jurisdiction to the EPA, allowing it to rule over any kind of body of water.

     This is the EPA’s third attempt to push this regulation. In the past, Supreme Court rulings have stopped the EPA’s last two attempts. This kind of over-regulation will hinder farming operations and could stall other commercial projects such as wind energy. 

Brian Borcherding

Vice President, Franklin Co. Farm Bureau