New IPPA President Curt Zehr looks at challenges and opportunities for the pork industry. page 3
Monday, February 9, 2015
Remember to vote in the state beef checkoff during the Illinois Beef Expo set for Feb. 19-22. page 4
An increasing number of Illinois farmers connect with food buyers through an IFB program. page 11
EPA: Comments prompt change to WOTUS rule
Two sections Volume 43, No. 6
FIRST SIGN OF SPRING?
BY DEANA STROISCH FarmWeek
Spring calving season appears in full swing on the Uhlman farm near Tremont as cows and their new calves forage in the snow. GROWMARK Board Director Dave Uhlman and his brother, Rob, and Dave’s son, Nick, maintain a 110-head herd of Angus cattle. They expect 106 calves to be born this spring. The Uhlmans also grow corn, soybeans, wheat and pumpkins. (Photo by Ken Kashian)
During questioning from members of Congress last week, Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Gina McCarthy said a proposed rule redefining “waters of the U.S.” will change based on public comments before it’s finalized this spring. “We’re going to make changes in a variety of areas where the comments have been very robust and clear,” said McCarthy, EPA administrator. “And we’ll respond to those. We are intending to use this rule-making process in the way we described it. We’re going to protect what we need to. We are going to leave alone what we don’t.” McCarthy wouldn’t specify when the final rule would be published other than to say “this spring.” McCarthy and Jo-Ellen Darcy of the Army Corps of Engineers testified during a rare joint hearing of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Darcy said the agencies received nearly 1 million
comments on their proposed rule, which opponents say expands federal jurisdiction over waters far beyond what Congress intended. McCarthy continued to say the proposed rule merely clarifies which bodies of water fall under federal jurisdiction. She said the rule also will: • Clarify that groundwater isn’t subject to jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act. • Reduce federal jurisdiction over ditches. • Maintain a longstanding exemption for previously converted cropland and wastewater treatment systems, including ponds and lagoons. “Using input from our discussion with the agricultural community, the EPA and the Corps are coordinating with USDA to ensure concerns raised by farmers and the agricultural community are effectively addressed in the final rule,” McCarthy said. Adam Nielsen, Illinois Farm Bureau’s national legislative director, remains skeptical. “I wish we could say we’re optimistic the final rule will address each of agriculture’s
many deep concerns, but we’re not,” Nielsen said. “This process ignored the longstanding partnership between the federal government and states on water regulation, was developed with limited input from the regulated community, and seems designed go into effect as soon as possible.” EPA has withdrawn its “interpretive rule” associated with the proposal as required by the federal spending bill. Members of Congress — and agricultural groups such as IFB — continue to fight the original rule as well. “We are determined to stop the rule and go back to square one,” Nielsen said. The Waters of the United States Regulatory Overreach Protection Act of 2015, H.R. 594, would block EPA and the Corps from finalizing or enforcing the currently proposed rule and require the agencies to consult state and local officials to develop a new one. The bill, introduced by Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., has about 125 co-sponsors. During last week’s hearing, Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., said he plans to introduce similar legislation.
grouped into three categories: economic growth and jobs package, student career and success package, and taxpayer empowerment and government reform package. The governor encouraged lawmakers to consider the overall package and not individual initiatives. He offered to work “closely together with each and every one of you,” and added “all of us have a duty to serve all the people of Illinois; those who voted for us
as well as those who did not vote for us.” Rauner repeatedly suggested Illinois has lost its competitive edge and made several comparisons to neighboring states, especially Indiana. “Our property taxes are out of control and are crushing middle class families,” Rauner said. He stated an average Illinois homeowner pays property taxes three times higher
Periodicals: Time Valued
Rauner sets ambitious plan to make state ‘competitive’ BY KAY SHIPMAN FarmWeek
Gov. Bruce Rauner delivered a checklist that ranged from broad, ambitious goals to specific details in his first State of the State address. The next day, Bruce Rauner he continued selling his ideas with four pub-
lic speeches around Illinois. “It’s now or never for Illinois. It’s time to act,” the new governor told a packed House chamber. Rauner warned assembled legislators that each of them would find among his proposals ideas they wouldn’t like and others they would “like a lot.” Before the speech began, the Rauner administration distributed a list of 44 bullet items, entitled “The Illinois Turnaround.” Items were
See Rauner, page 2
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