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Comment period for Clean Water Rule ends Monday

Washington—The American Farm Bureau Federation wants farmers and ranchers to make a  stand for clean water and clear rules by showing support for the Environmental Protection Agencies new Clean Water Rule.

After months of an open comment period, time is running out for farmers and ranchers to show their support for the new Clean Water Rule. The new rule proposes changes to the definition of  “Waters of the U.S.” 

Cody Lyon, American Farm Bureau Federation managing director of advocacy and political affairs, says farmers and ranchers should submit comments to the Environmental Protection Agency right now.

“We’re down to the last few days. The docket will close on Monday, April 15th, right around midnight. So, farmers have just a few short days left to submit comments to EPA. We know that good farming and a good environment go hand-in-hand. That’s why we need clean water and we need clear rules to go with it,” said Lyon.

Lyon stresses that the new Clean Water Rule for the first time clearly defines what is regulated under the Clean Water Act.

“The new Clean Water Rule simply makes it clear and specific what is and is not regulated. Farmers and ranchers should not have to hire teams of consultants and lawyers just to know what areas of their farm will and will not be regulated. The new Clean Water Rule would end years of this uncertainty over where federal control begins and ends,” said Lyon.

And Lyon says its and fast to make Comments to the EPA, it involves going to website and submitting them online.

When farmers and ranchers go to fb.org/cleanwater, the information is available on that webpage to understand the issue better. Scroll down to the bottom and with one simple click you can send your comments to EPA. We need every farmer and rancher to step in and send their comments before the deadline on April 15th,” said Lyon.

FARMERS and ranchers can make those comments online at fb.org/cleanwater until Monday night.