EPA Power-Grab Affecting Arkansas Farmers

Statement

Last week, during my annual Agriculture tour, I spent my time meeting and talking with farmers all across the state to help highlight the importance of agriculture in Arkansas. One out of every six jobs in Arkansas is tied to agriculture. This year's tour is especially important as family farms and the rural way of life are being threatened by onerous federal mandates being handed down by the Obama Administration - particularly "Waters of the United States" (WOTUS).

As far as I'm concerned, WOTUS is an attack on property rights of all landowners. The Environmental Protection Agency can try to spin it any way they choose, but the simple truth is that WOTUS is an overly burdensome and costly regulatory power-grab by Washington. I have led the fight against WOTUS in the Senate by cosponsoring the Federal Water Quality Protection Act which will rein in EPA overreach and provides specific directions to write a rule that protects our waters without eroding the rights of landowners.

This legislation directs the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers to revise the WOTUS rule to exclude waters that have never been controlled by the federal government like isolated ponds, ditches and agriculture waters that lack enough flow to carry pollutants to navigable waters.

As I've said time and again, I will continue to lead the fight against the Obama Administration's attempts to give bureaucrats in Washington control of almost all water in Arkansas.

I encourage you to be actively involved in our efforts. Here are some ways you can help.

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