By Gene Hall
Texas Farm Bureau
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has not been shy about pushing for a new clean water rule that extended its already considerable authority over land everywhere in the nation.
In doing so, EPA ignored previous Congressional decisions and Supreme Court decisions. They claimed a joint mission with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Now, documents have surfaced that the Corps was not all that keen on the EPA trampling over the facts.
EPA ignored public comments and engaged in a massive public relations program to sway those comments their way. This is more than playing fast and loose with the facts. This is astonishing arrogance that is confident nothing is standing in the way.
EPA’s Waters of the U.S. rule (WOTUS) is a case of good government intentions becoming bad government policy. Many believe EPA’s control now extends to virtually every foot of ground in America. They have twisted the facts to launch this misguided regulatory jihad.
The EPA is a giant and lavishly funded regulatory agency. It is staffed with an army of true believers. It was born to regulate. It exists to regulate. It WILL regulate, even after the need to do so has long since passed. Will it overreact and overreach in doing so? Of course!
The American Farm Bureau Federation, the Texas Farm Bureau, the State of Texas and many others are lining up to challenge this reckless overreach of regulatory power in the courts.
Congress is spooling up to pass a bipartisan bill that will probably be vetoed, but will demonstrate the will of the nation.
It’s time to use constitutional checks and balances to stop the regulatory excess.
Source: www.agprofessional.com