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Walberg: WOTUS Rule Withdrawal is Welcome News for Michigan Farmers

June 28, 2017

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tim Walberg (MI-07) today applauded the Trump administration for its proposal to withdraw the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule imposed by the Obama administration.

"As I travel the 7th District, the flawed WOTUS rule is one of the consistent concerns I hear from the farming community," said Congressman Walberg. "This regulation is a vast expansion of federal power that takes away control from private property owners and puts their livelihoods and management of their land at risk. Rescinding this overreaching rule is welcome news for farmers in Michigan and across the country."

"The WOTUS rule created uncertainty and possible regulatory cost burden to homeowners, agriculture and private property owners which could have been staggering. The Clean Water Act will still protect the waters within the United States but without the uncertainty created by unclear and vague definitions that were within the proposed rule. I am pleased to see the WOTUS rue rescinded, and I am grateful for Congressman Walberg's leadership on this issue. He worked to protect our water and a farmer's ability to produce food," said Doug Darling, a farmer from Monroe County and member of the Michigan Farm Bureau Board of Directors.

"In Michigan, farmers have long led the way in conservation and are participating in voluntary programs to protect our water and environment. The WOTUS rule took away landowners' property rights and made little sense, expanding federal regulations to include farm ponds and ditches without clarity or direction for farmers. Rolling back this rule will help restore commonsense, and I appreciate Congressman Walberg's efforts to stand up for Michigan farmers," said Jay Williams, a farmer from Hillsdale County and Hillsdale County Farm Bureau President.

"As a Michigan farmer, I am pleased with the action of the President to rescind the WOTUS rule. I echo Congressman Walberg's assessment that this rule was extremely burdensome, a significant overreach of government authority, and would have caused significant hardship to my farm. Additionally, I thank the Congressman for hearing the concerns of the farmers in his district on this issue and advocating on our behalf to see the WOTUS rule repealed. Today, farmers in Michigan have one less thing to worry about," said Brian Pridgeon, a farmer from Branch County and member of the Branch County Farm Bureau.