Daily News Update, Dec. 3, 2007

TSCRA opposes ‘unprecedented expansion’
of government authority over water

Proposed legislation to amend the Clean Water Act would in effect result in a "large taking on the part of the federal government," says Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association.

"TSCRA strongly opposes H.R. 2421 and S. 1870 to amend the Clean Water Act," TSCRA President Jon Means told legislators Dec. 3.

The legislation would remove the word "navigable" from the CWA definition of "waters of the U.S."

"The new definition would grant the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers virtually unlimited regulatory control over all wet areas within a state," Means declared.

Cattle producers would be required to manage around puddles in the middle of rangeland, intermittent drainage areas, road ditches and more, he added. And if producers are unable to demonstrate proper management of these areas, they could be required to get a section 404 permit.

"That would be far too impractical," Means insisted.

He said the legislation would result in a major decrease in the authority of state governments and private property owners across the United States.

"Federal CWA jurisdiction would be brought all the way to the farm and ranch and would be a large taking on the part of the federal government."

Means asked cattle producers to contact their legislators now and urge them to oppose the legislation.

Click here for links to legislators and a sample letter that can be sent through NCBA's CAPWIZ.