Spending bill is ‘first volley’ in water fight between… | www.myajc.com

WASHINGTON — Georgia farmers worried about the Environmental Protection Agency encroaching on their drainage ditches scored a partial victory in Congress’ $1 trillion spending package that was signed into law earlier this month.

But the EPA will move forward on a new regulation it says is crucial to limiting pollution in the nation’s waterways and will not overburden farmers, setting up a sure clash with the Republican majorities in the incoming Congress.

The dispute concerns a rule the EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers proposed in April to regulate tributaries to major waterways under the Clean Water Act — and a tributary does not necessarily have to flow year-round to qualify.

The farm lobby went on the attack against the “Waters of the USA” rule immediately, claiming that the EPA could take new jurisdiction over farmers’ property.

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