YOUR TEXAS AGRICULTURE MINUTE

Ruling stops WOTUS, but not in Texas

By Gene Hall

“Inexplicable.” “Arbitrary.” “Devoid of reasoned process.”

A few choice words from a North Dakota federal judge that temporarily stopped EPA’s Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule in 13 states.

Unfortunately, Texas isn’t one of them. The rule went into effect last Friday here and in 36 other states that weren’t involved in that lawsuit.

The ruling is encouraging. It’s the latest attempt to block the EPA juggernaut.

This federal order says the WOTUS rule should be stopped nationwide. Not just in the 13 states in the lawsuit. Yet EPA thumbed its nose at the injunction.

By threatening fines for these controlled areas, EPA effectively decides who farms and who doesn’t. Every farmer might need a permit to farm.

It’s a sorry situation. But Congress and agricultural groups like Farm Bureau are determined to stop it.

The preceding commentary is brought to you by Texas Farm Bureau, the “Voice of Texas Agriculture.” Called “Your Texas Agriculture Minute,” TFB will issue thought-provoking editorials each week—via print and audio—to spark understanding of agriculture in the Lone Star State and its impact on each and every Texan.

You may read this week’s editorial above or listen to the audio version.

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