September 12, 2019
Contact:
Marjory Walker
or
T. Cotton Nelson
(901) 274-9030
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The National Cotton Council (NCC) applauds today’s announcement by Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler that the 2015 Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule has been withdrawn.
The next step will be a new final rule expected towards the end of this year.
NCC Chairman Mike Tate noted that the U.S. cotton industry has long sought consistency and simplicity in water regulations and said, “EPA’s decision ends the uncertainty caused by the WOTUS rule and the resulting, sometimes conflicting, court verdicts that led to a patchwork of regulations nationwide.”
Tate, an Alabama cotton producer, stated, “Cotton producers and all of agriculture deserve a commonsense and understandable rule that not only ensures environmental and human health but protects farmland and our rights to conduct our operations in a responsible and economically sustainable manner with flexibility that wasn’t present under the 2015 rule. While nothing is perfect, we foresee the new rule as one that does not label as ‘waters of the U.S.’ those vast areas of dry land that have been farmed for generations.”
Recent News
NCC: Disaster Relief Package Is Vital The National Cotton Council greatly appreciates Congress and the Administration for their support and approval of long-awaited and much needed disaster and recovery assistance for those farmers who were devastated by Hurricanes Florence, Michael and other natural disasters in 2018 and early 2019. USDA January Production Report In its January Annual crop report, USDA estimated a 2018-19 U.S. crop of 18.39 million bales. NCC Welcomes Continued Access to Dicamba The National Cotton Council (NCC) welcomes the decision released yesterday by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that allows cotton producers continued access to Dicamba herbicide. Congress Calls on Administration for Economic Assistance for Cotton Producers A large, bipartisan block of 135 Senators and Representatives sent letters to President Trump today strongly urging the Administration’s support, through USDA, to operate the Cotton Ginning Cost Share Program effective for the 2016 crop year and on an ongoing basis.
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