Broadcaster Press 3 December 25, 2018 www.broadcasteronline.com Revised WOTUS Rule A Win For Landowners, Ag Community And States’ Rights By Sen. Mike Rounds Between the weather, market prices and crop production, farmers and ranchers are already faced with significant uncertainty as they seek to make a profit while feeding and fueling the world. The last thing they need is more uncertainty and overregulation from the federal government. Fortunately, over the past two years, we’ve made significant progress undoing many of the damaging regulations from the previous administration and enacting smarter policies to help our producers flourish and thrive. A recent example is the revised Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule, which the Trump administration announced earlier this week. WOTUS is a rule that seeks to define the bodies of water that will be regulated under the Clean Water Act of 1972. Originally drafted by the Obama administration, the original WOTUS rule replaced a standard definition of a body of water with a vague definition in which a bureaucrat would make a decision on whether water could be regulated on a case-by-case basis. This vagueness and uncertainty was deeply troubling to many of us who recognized it as a massive power grab by the federal government seeking to expand its power over private property. The revised WOTUS rule gives farmers, ranchers and landowners the certainty they need to know exactly when the Clean Water Act applies to them and when it does not. It adapts the ‘ordinary meaning’ of the term navigable water – essentially oceans, rivers, streams, lakes, ponds and adjacent wetlands – and clarifies that not all water is ‘waters of the U.S.’ Landowners are already good stewards of our land. We don’t need unelected bureaucrats in Washington making ambiguous decisions about land they are not familiar with. Additionally, the rule works with landowners to strengthen water safety – rather than saddle them with unnecessary burdens with little to no benefit to the environment and our water supply. It also respects states’ rights, recognizing that state and tribal governments have a right to regulate and manage their land and water resources themselves. Throughout the process of rewriting WOTUS, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also worked with states, tribes, local governments and other stakeholders who are directly affected to make certain their most pressing concerns have been addressed. As chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Subcommittee on Oversight, which oversees the operations of the EPA, we have spent a great deal of time focused on the real-world impact that EPA rules and other federal regulations have on American families. In the case of WOTUS, our committee found that not only was the earlier version of the rule unpopular and unworkable, the previous administration continuously ignored the concerns of farmers, ranchers, agriculture groups, state governors, attorneys general and even its own Small Business Administration before moving ahead with it. The previous administration’s proposed WOTUS rule would have been one of the largest federal land grabs in U.S. history. In completely redefining a ‘navigable’ waterway under the Clean Water Act, it would have given the Army Corps of Engineers and the EPA control of nearly all water, including man-made water management systems, farm ponds, drainage ditches and any other water the federal government wanted to decide has a ‘significant nexus’ to downstream water. This would have required farmers, ranchers and landowners to spend countless hours filling out burdensome paperwork to get permits from the federal government just to conduct normal agricultural activities or spray for weeds along our county roads. Under the new proposal, federally regulated water would include traditional navigable waters, certain lakes and ponds, tributaries to navigable waters, impoundments of jurisdictional waters and wetlands adjacent to jurisdictional waters. It would not regulate areas that only contain water for periods of time after rainfall, like most ditches, stormwater control features and groundwater, to name a few. I thank the administration for recognizing the damage the previous administration’s WOTUS rule would have had on agricultural operations and job creators. I look forward to working with my colleagues to move this new commonsense proposal forward. The new rule reins in the role of the federal government and provides much-needed certainty to our producers. It is a commonsense proposal that protects our water while allowing our ag community to continue doing their jobs without unnecessary burdens. A 60-day comment period is now underway for anyone wishing to weigh in on the proposal. I encourage anyone who may be affected by the new rule to share their thoughts at www.epa.gov. Noem Taps Vanneman For Secretary Of Agriculture PIERRE, S.D. – Following a nation-wide search to find the best and brightest to serve South Dakota’s largest industry, Governor-elect Kristi Noem today announced that Kim Vanneman will join her cabinet as Secretary of Agriculture. “Agriculture is South Dakota’s top industry, so it is essential we have a secretary who is as passionate as they are knowledgeable about the opportunities before us,” said Governor-elect Noem. “Kim Vanneman shares my vision to develop the state’s ag economy and give more young people the ability to thrive as farmers and ranchers in South Dakota. She’s a life-long producer and a fierce advocate for agriculture. I’m grateful to have her on board.” “Agriculture is more than an economic engine in South Dakota – it’s our way of life,” said Kim Vanneman. “I’m thankful for the ways agriculture has shaped my career, and I’m committed to promoting, protecting, and growing that culture for the next generation. It is an honor to serve with Governor-elect Noem as we work to advance agriculture by adding value to South Dakota-grown commodities and expanding working lands conservation.” Vanneman, originally from Chamberlain, is a co-owner/ operator of Vanneman Farms, a diversified farming operation in Ideal that produces row crops and small grains as well as finishing feeder pigs and a commercial beef cow herd. Additionally, Vanneman served in the South Dakota House of Representatives from 2007 to 2013 where she sat on the Agriculture, Natural Resource, and Education Committees. Vanneman curNOTICE OF HEARING rently serves as a director COUNTY BUDGET for Farm Credit Services of SUPPLEMENT America, Farm Credit CounNotice is hereby given that in cil, Farm Credit Foundaaccordance SDCL 7-21-22 the tions, and FCC Services. Clay County Commissioners Vanneman and her will conduct a public hearing December 27, 2018 at 9:30 husband, Clint, have three a.m. Regarding supplementchildren and four granding the 2018 County Budget children. for $8,000 to the Courthouse Jane Olson Five-Year Farm Bill Will Clay County Register of Deeds will be leaving after Provide Certainty, Stability to 32 years of service Friday, South Dakota Ag Community Please Join January 4, 2019 Her ining 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Clay County elebrat C By Sen. Mike Rounds FSA. This is an important provision for After months of negotiations, Congress South Dakota producers in times of extreme recently passed a five-year farm bill with drought like we experienced in much of the strong bipartisan support. This vital piece state last year. of legislation will provide certainty for Farmers and ranchers in South Dakota farmers and ranchers across the country, work hard every day to feed and fuel a and especially in South Dakota where our growing population here in the U.S. and state’s economy depends on agriculture. around the world. As in all businesses, With more than 31,500 farms across the some years are better than others. During state, South Dakota ranks in the top 10 for those tough times, it’s important that proag production, providing a $21 billion dollar ducers have access to tools that can help impact on our economy annually. them keep going. With net farm income down 50 percent I thank Senate and House Agriculture in the past five years and producers on Committee leaders and members for their the tip of the spear with the ongoing trade work getting this important bill passed the disputes, the farm bill will provide our ag finish line. It is a critical step toward providcommunity with much-needed stability as ing certainty and stability for South Dakota they plan for the future. A five-year farm bill farmers and ranchers as we continue to is necessary to give South Dakota producseek ways to improve the ag economy as a ers the certainty they need to help weather whole. times of low commodity prices, such as the one we are experiencing now. Measures included in the farm bill can help them keep their operations viable. During farm bill negotiations, I outlined my priorities to the leaders of the Senate Agriculture CommitDesign/Build • Fiber Cabling • Commercial • Residential tee to make certain the top Service Calls • Boom Truck with Auger • Trenching concerns of South Dakota producers were heard. I Serving the was pleased most of these Beresford and 1221 Cornell St., Vermillion, SD • 605-624-5642 priorities were addressed Vermillion Areas 201 NW 13th St., Ste. 3, Beresford, SD • 800-560-2518 as part of the final farm bill package, including a measure to increase the cap for Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres from 24 million acres to 27 million acres, with 2 million acres reserved for grasslands. The We want to thank the community for their generous farm bill also strengthens support for the children benefitted by The Giving Tree. the federal crop insurance Theta Omega Chapter of ESA wants to share a few of program, increases the total Farm Service Agency (FSA) the thank you’s from the parents at the gift distribution. Guaranteed and Direct Loan Program authorization to $12 billion and establishes an Animal Disease and Preparedness Program. This includes a vaccination bank to combat economic, “Thank you so much. You have made our Christmas bright.” food and national security “I want to thank everyone who has helped us and concerns. Additionally, it everyone who made our family’s allows for re-enrollment for Christmas extra special. Thank you so much.” producers utilizing commod“Thank you very much for ity programs under Title I, specifically Price-Loss Covyour generosity and kindness.” erage (PLC) and Agricultural “You have made my kids Xmas. I’m truly Risk Coverage (ARC). blessed to have the ESA Giving Tree to help It also includes Sen. John my family during the Xmas season. Merry Thune’s provision to update Xmas and God Bless you all.” and improve accuracy of the “I really appreciate the help my U.S. Drought Monitor and better use collected data family received this year. Otherwise, to determine emergency I would not have been able to grazing procedures through provide my kids with a gift this year.” TODD’S ELECTRIC SERVICE “The Line To Power” 1-800-560-2518 Thank you! Good bye! Courthouse Refreshments will be served Budget Building Improvements (10100X4320161), $4,500 to the Judicial System Budget Court Reporter (10100X4221130), and $2,000 to the Mental Illness Budget Professional Services (10100X4220441) to allow payment of necessary and unanticipated expenses. All interested persons are encouraged to attend the public hearing. Those interested persons not able to attend are invited and encouraged to send written comments prior to the hearing to: Clay County Commissioners 211 W. Main Street. Suite 200 Vermillion, SD 57069 Carri R. Crum Clay County Auditor Published once at the total approximate cost of $15.12. Published December 25, 2018. Help Harold Edwards celebrate his 85th birthday on Dec. 29th by showering him with birthday cards. Please send cards to: Harold J. Edwards 505 W. Main, Apt. 104 Vermillion, SD 57069 May every day of the New Year sparkle with good cheer & happiness! Thank You and Happy New Year 5 W. Cherry St. • Vermillion 605-624-4444 HERREN•SCHEMPP BUILDING SUPPLY Locally Owned and Operated Headquarters for the Builder/Handyman We deliver to the entire area! 1000 W. Cherry St. • Vermillion Mon-Fri 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Sat 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. 888-624-2058 • 605-624-2058 www.herrenschempp.com Thank you - look forward to seeing you in 2019!