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EPA’s water rule concerns Nebraska farmers
Two central Nebraska farmers say they’re concerned that the EPA’s proposed “Waters of the U.S.” rule will force them to obtain permits to carry out routine farming practices.
“If I had to get a permit every time I was to go spray something, I can’t imagine how much time I would spend, wherever I needed to get the permit from, just going back and forth,” says Joel Grams, who farms near Minden and is president of the Nebraska Corn Growers Association.
“I just can’t imagine that we need the EPA to tell us how to do stuff and that we need to get a permit to do this—and that they may be able to deny our permit if we need it,” Grams says. “It’s just an overreach on their part, I think.”
Travis Rainforth, who farms south of of Alda, agrees.
“You know, our job is hard enough trying to get things done, dealing with Mother Nature,” Rainforth says. “The last thing we really need right now is another step to go through and have to wait for the approval of the application so we can actually get out here and get done what we need to get done.”
AUDIO: Travis Rainforth (2:34 MP3)
Grams and Rainforth participated in a “Ditch the Rule” event near Alda. It was coordinated by Common Sense Nebraska, a new coalition of Nebraska ag groups who are pushing back on the EPA’s water rule.
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