Letters to the Editor policy

ruling of Sackett v. EPA, a U.S. Supreme Court case to determine whether wetlands fall under WOTUS jurisdiction.

WOTUS has been a headache for many Oklahomans for decades. The idea that a drainage ditch in Oklahoma is now a federally regulated, navigable waterway is absurd. This overregulation is detrimental to our rural communities, making it hard for farmers and ranchers to do their jobs.

Under WOTUS, the EPA can fine farmers and ranchers thousands of dollars if they simply rotate from one crop to another without first gaining permission from the federal government.

This rule hurts small businesses and family farms –two entities that embody the Oklahoma economy the most.

Our producers cannot afford this costly revision, especially during a time when farmers and ranchers are already struggling under increased energy costs, supply chain shortages, and skyrocketing inflation.

I’m glad to see Oklahoma officials in the fight to challenge this most recent rule. Our governor and members of the state congressional delegation are working to halt the rule’s implementation until after the Supreme Court weighs in on Sackett v. EPA. Our attorney general is also joining with other attorney generals to file a lawsuit to challenge the rule altogether.