WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today held a hearing on the impacts of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed ‘Waters of the United States’ (WOTUS) rule. Video here.

Among the witnesses invited to testify was Kansas Department of Agriculture Assistant Secretary Susan Metzger. Video of Assistant Secretary Metzger’s testimony HERE.

The proposed WOTUS rule expands federal jurisdiction under EPA’s Clean Water Act and has ignited widespread concern from farmers, ranchers and rural constituencies around the country. The hearing, titled “Waters of the United States: Stakeholder Perspectives on the Impacts of EPA’s Proposed Rule,” featured two panels of witnesses comprised of state and local officials responsible for the administration and enforcement of the proposed Clean Water Act changes and key agricultural industry representatives impacted by the burdensome regulation. For witness info and testimony click here.

“I find it particularly troubling that despite the unanimous outcry from a broad coalition of stakeholders and industries that have voiced concern about the manner and process by which EPA advanced this proposed rule, EPA continues to plunge ahead,” Chairman Roberts said.

“Just last week, EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy made public statements that the agency is working to finalize the proposed rule as early as this spring or summer.

“However, the Administrator did say that they are changing the name of the rule from ‘Waters of the United States’ to the ‘Clean Water Rule.’ Quite frankly, Administrator McCarthy, merely changing the name is not enough. Change the rule. If you want to protect clean water, it is time to listen and change the rule in a manner that allows for public input and collaboration AND is effective for farmers, ranchers and rural America.”