Farm Progress America, March 17, 2025

Mike Pearson takes a look at how the "Waters of the USA" policy could change in the Trump administration.

The Waters of the USDA rule dates back to 1972.

The law gives the right to the Army Corps of Engineers and EPA the authority to police navigable waterways.

However, Congress has never defined what a navigable waterway means. This has allowed each administration to establish it's own rules.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldman says the Trump administration is no exception and will be issuing a new policy.

The new revisions will clarify boundaries after last year's U.S. Supreme Court case that muddied up the rule and was expected to cost landowners more money.

The revisions by Zeldman is expected to shift more regulatory power to the states. This will put the power of the state behind ditches, isolated streams and wetlands will fall under the rules.

There are many supporters of the rollback including many ag groups including the Nation Cattlemen's Beef Association and say the power should be restored back to the states.

Others say it will weaken the laws and increase the risk of pollution in the waterways.

Farm Progress America is a daily look at key issues in agriculture. It is produced and presented by Mike Pearson, farm broadcaster and host of This Week in Agribusiness .

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