Ditch the EPA’s new definition

'Things in our country run despite government, not by aid of it.” - Will Rogers.

Time and time again, across many industries, we've seen examples of how the federal government can't manage as effectively as the private sector. Yet, their efforts to exert power over all Iowans continues.

The latest example of government overreach is the Environmental Protection Agency's proposal to change the definition and expand the regulation of navigable waters under the Clean Water Act.

In April, the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers proposed revisions to a rule that defines what is considered ‘navigable' water; water that you could put a boat on and travel from one waterway to another.

Under their proposal, any area of your field or yard that may see standing water, even if it's for a short period of time, could be considered navigable waters subject to federal jurisdiction.

No matter that your backyard or field was dry seven days a week for the past 20 years; if a five inch rainfall (like the one some areas of the state recently experienced) suddenly left a puddle or a slowing stream, the EPA, according to this new 370 page ‘rule', might consider it ‘navigable', or a Waters of the U.S.

That means you would have to ask the federal agencies to find out if it's ‘navigable' or apply for federal permits - working through additional government red tape to build a terrace in your field, construct a waterway, apply fertilizer, or even plant a tree on your land.

Want to build a fence or spray for weeds? Now you'll need a federal permit! What's more, you could be subjected to a $37,500 per day fine if you're not in compliance.

Ridiculous? Yes. Yet, this rule is another example of federal government overreach and unneeded regulation.

Right now, Iowa farmers are making progress to conserve our soil and improve water quality by implementing new conservation practices; yet if the rule is approved, many efforts will stall, plus require expensive permit approvals which can cost anywhere between $13,000 to $30,000, depending on the type of permit.

Currently, with the WOTUS rule, farmers will need to not only go to the NRCS for review, but also the Army Corps of Engineers, which creates an extensive backlog of applications.

I fear adding these layers of documentation, expensive permitting and hoop-jumping would only be a disincentive to conservation progress that farmers want, and have been making across the state.

I hope farmers and all Iowans take this time to learn about the EPA rule and what its passage could mean for us all. They want to hear from you. The comment period for the rule runs through July 21.

The time is now to make your voice heard by the people who are stifling conservation progress and think they know your land better than you do.

' Craig Hill of Milo was elected president of the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation in December 2011. Contact: chill@ifbf.org