The revised Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule issued last week by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Army Corps of Engineers remains unclear and unworkable for farmers, Farm Bureau and other ag groups said. 

The EPA issued the revised rule to conform with the Supreme Court’s decision in Sackett v. EPA that greatly narrowed the EPA’s and Corps’ jurisdictional authority under the Clean Water Act. 

However, instead of soliciting feedback from farmers and others through the usual public comment process, the EPA and Corps issued the new rule with minimal amendments. The rule took effect immediately following publication in the Federal Register.

“Iowa farmers are disappointed that the EPA has yet again released a Waters of the United States rule that ignores...