Capitol Notebook: Federal judge halts rule to regulate water pollution

A federal judge in North Dakota has temporarily halted new rules from the Biden administration regulating navigable waterways in 24 states, including Iowa.

Supporters say the rule is intended to protect thousands of small streams, wetlands and other waterways throughout the nation. Opponents call it an example of federal overreach they argue would unfairly burden farmers and ranchers.

Iowa Republican Attorney General Brenna Bird praised Wednesday's ruling.

Bird, in a statement, called the ruling a “huge win for Iowan farmers, builders, and landowners,” and said it is her intent to “turn this into a permanent win.”

Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig also praised the ruling in a statement, calling the proposed rule “too broad, too burdensome, too intrusive and far too costly.”

“Iowa farmers must be able to freely operate using modern farming practices, and we do not need this unworkable bureaucratic decree hindering our efforts to accelerate the adoption of proven conservation and water quality practices,” Naig said in his statement.

The new Waters of the United States, or WOTUS, rule would expand protections for the nation's waters through updates to the Clean Water Act.

The Environmental Protection Agency said in a statement to the Associated Press that the agency and the Army Corps of Engineers were reviewing the decision but still believe the regulations were “the best” interpretation of the Clean Water Act.

“The agencies remain committed to establishing and implementing a durable definition of ‘waters of the United States’ informed by diverse perspectives,” the EPA said in the statement. “Our goal is to protect public health, the environment, and downstream communities while supporting economic opportunity, agriculture, and industries that depend on clean water.”

Raw milk sales bill

Legislation that would allow dairy farms in Iowa to sell raw milk to consumers was passed out of the Iowa House.

Rep. Megan Srinivas, D-Des Moines, expressed concern that the proposal could endanger Iowans because the consumption of unpasteurized milk could lead to bacterial outbreaks. Srinivas is an infectious disease physician.

Rep. Bobby Kaufmann, R-Wilton, said that anyone who has concerns about raw milk can simply avoid consuming it.

Senate File 315 passed the House on a largely party-line, 64-35 vote. The bill previously passed the Senate also on a largely party-line, 36-14 vote.

Because the bill was amended during House debate, it goes back to the Senate for another round of approval.

Gazette-Lee Des Moines Bureau