Farmers and Ranchers have until through the end of Monday, February 7th, to tell the EPA how proposed changes to the Waters of the U.S. rule will impact their operation. Courtney Briggs, American Farm Bureau Federation Senior Director of Congressional Relations, says it’s important the EPA receives comments directly from farmers and ranchers.

"The agencies hear frequently from folks like myself who are representing national trade organizations, but once they hear from people on the ground who are experiencing the effects of these regulations day in and day out, those are the most impactful stories, those are the things that resonate with the agencies. So, it's important that they hear from the regulated community directly from farmers and ranchers.”

Briggs said it’s best to tell the EPA how the rule will impact your farm or ranch.

“I think if farmers and ranchers have personal anecdotes that they're willing to share about the struggles they've experienced with Clean Water Act permitting or dealing with the Army Corps of Engineers, that is like gold in a comment period. But it's also important that the regulated community express that given that the Supreme Court is taking the Sackett case, that the agencies really need to hit the pause button, there's no reason to move forward with this proposed rulemaking.”

Click Here to make your thoughts known to EPA.

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekmedia.com

More From PNW Ag Network