A Step in the Right Direction on WOTUS

A WOTUS Rule That Respects Farmers

For a decade now, farmers and ranchers have been calling for a clear Waters of the U.S. rule that respects our careful stewardship. For many of us, the definition of WOTUS isn’t a distant policy discussion—it’s personal. The WOTUS rule determines how we manage our land, how we plan conservation work, and how we keep our farms running without getting tangled in unclear regulations.

Clean water is essential for every farmer and rancher—we depend on it every day. That’s why we’re encouraged to see the new proposed rule from the Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers. The proposal protects critical water resources while recognizing the work farmers do to care for the land. It is clear that the agencies are responding to concerns raised by farmers and bringing much-needed clarity to the rule.

The WOTUS Rule Matters for Clean Water and Agriculture

Farmers understand the importance of clean water—our farms and our families depend on it. We rely on it for our crops, our livestock and our daily lives. We spend countless hours putting conservation practices in place to protect our water sources and to improve the land we care for. Clean water is part of every decision we make on the farm, from how we manage our soil to how we rotate our livestock on pastures and protect our streams.

But protecting water starts with clear and workable rules. When definitions stretch too far, ordinary farm activities can fall under burdensome and costly federal oversight. That can turn routine work into a regulatory guessing game, slowing progress instead of supporting it. A practical WOTUS rule must balance environmental protection with the realities of farming.

Farm Bureau’s Continued Leadership on WOTUS

The latest proposal shows movement toward the clarity farmers have been calling for. It reflects some of the concerns raised over the years and responds to the Supreme Court’s decision in Sackett v. EPA that federal agencies must rein in their regulatory overreach.

Farm Bureau has long called for consistent and fair guidelines surrounding the Clean Water Act. We are reviewing every detail of the new proposal and crafting comments that reflect the real-world challenges farmers and ranchers are facing. Our goal is straightforward: ensure that clean water and common sense go hand-in-hand.

We will continue to share farmers’ stories and remind policymakers that regulatory certainty is essential for long-term stewardship. When the rules are clear and fair, farmers can keep doing what we do best—caring for the land and producing the food, fiber, and renewable fuel American families depend on.