North Dakota Farmers Union President Mark Watne made the following statement via press release on the Environmental Protection Agency’s announcement to repeal the 2015 Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule, which restores pre-2015 regulations for all states while EPA works to finalize a replacement for WOTUS.

“We are glad a determination has been made on WOTUS. The language was confusing and definitions were limited, creating uncertainty as to the depth and impact on farmers and agriculture. We were also concerned about the potential of another agency having oversight of water on our farms and believe that oversight should always be held within USDA.

“Farmers must be at the table when determining any revised regulations that will impact the water associated with the land they farm.”

Earlier on Thursday, N.D. Governor Doug Burgum also took a position on the topic, joining Sens. John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer in supporting the decision.

“The EPA’s decision… to repeal the 2015 WOTUS rule is an important step for local decision-making and a recognition of states’ ability to manage their own waters effectively,” Burgum said via release. “The 2015 rule created confusion and uncertainty for landowners and local governments by effectively classifying almost every pond, pothole and slough as a federal managed waterway. North Dakotans care deeply about clean water and our state has some of the cleanest water in the nation. We thank EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler for today’s announcement to finalize the repeal of this rule.”

On Feb. 28, 2017, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to begin the process of rescinding or revising the WOTUS rule. Burgum expressed his gratitude for the EPA’s consultation of governors and local leaders in the process of rescinding this rule.

— Michael W. Sasser