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AFBF: Clean water amendment expands federal reachA push to expand the landmark Clean Water Act would lead to more confusion, rather than cleaner, safer water, according to one farmer on Capitol Hill recently. Pennsylvania Farm Bureau President Carl Shaffer told members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee that legislation before the panel would disrupt and complicate proven programs already under way in states like his. He testified on behalf of the American Farm Bureau Federation. H.R. 2421, The Clean Water Restoration Act, is billed by its supporters as merely restoring Clean Water Act regulations altered by recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions. In reality, words matter, and the text of the bill clearly expands federal controls. The quality of our nation's rivers, streams and other waterways has improved dramatically over the last 35 years since enactment of the Clean Water Act. In 1972, between 30 percent and 40 percent of surface waters met water quality goals; today, between 60 percent and 70 percent of waters meet goals and support fishing, swimming and other basic uses. Other waters are also improving. Trends are moving in the right direction with further improvement ahead. Farmers and ranchers are working at the local, state and federal levels to implement innovative conservation technologies to further those trends. Shaffer, who raises green beans, corn and wheat in Columbia County, Pa., testified the bill "could sweep many agricultural activities into the scope of federal regulation simply because these activities occur near some ditch or isolated puddle that would be deemed a 'water of the United States.'" Furthermore, land that has been farmed for many years could come under Clean Water Act jurisdiction. "If that's the case, I could be required to get a federal permit to grow crops on land I have been farming for three decades," Shaffer said. "Surely, there are more productive ways to protect the environment and spend America's tax dollars." H.R. 2421 was introduced by House T&I Committee Chair James Oberstar, D-MN, last year. AFBF opposes the bill. 4/28/08 Date: 4/18/08
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