OCA Successfully Stops Implementation of WOTUS In Oregon

Count Oregon as one of the states where WOTUS will not be enforced.

Last month, a U.S. District Judge delayed implementation of the Waters of the U.S. Rule, because it could “irreparably harm” farmers and ranchers.  Back in April, the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association sued the EPA, saying WOTUS too broadly defined the types of waters that cannot be polluted, including standing water that occurs after rainfall, and water that is not navigable.

OCA Executive Director Jerome Rosa said WOTUS as it’s written now would greatly limit normal farming practices.

“If you were to go in and plow that ground one year and not the next, or not for three year, depending on weather conditions, depending on crop prices, you know depending upon whatever you wanted to do.”

Rosa acknowledged while the fight is not over, the mid-July victory was a long time coming.

“There still could be some federal fixes that occur, which would make this point moot, but you know, on the other hand, it’s a win for now, and so that’s helpful for all of agriculture in Oregon.”

The Obama Administration which wrote WOTUS back in 2015, said the rule was intended to clarify the Clean Water Act.  Efforts continue in Washington D.C. to block or rewrite WOTUS.

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