Today Kansas Department of Agriculture Assistant Secretary Susan Metzger provided testimony of support in front of a subcommittee of the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, chaired by Sen. James Inhofe, in regards to the Federal Water Quality Protection Act and provided support for S.1140.
Manhattan, Kansas – Today Kansas Department of Agriculture Assistant Secretary Susan Metzger provided testimony of support in front of a subcommittee of the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, chaired by Sen. James Inhofe, in regards to the Federal Water Quality Protection Act and provided support for S.1140.
“With this legislation, the States, as primary implementers of the Clean Water Act, will play a more appropriate and necessary role in crafting a rule that clearly defines Waters of the United States. S.1140 recognizes the shortcomings of the original engagement put forth by the Federal agencies by promoting renewed Federalism and proper coordination with the States before publication of the rule,” Metzger testified.
“S.1140 clearly establishes groundwater and isolated ponds should not be defined as Waters of the United States. Of particular significance to Kansas is the exclusion of stream reaches that do not contribute flow in a normal year to downstream navigable waters, a typical situation in Western Kansas. We encourage the Federal agencies consult with western state water resource agencies and use their in-house knowledge of water availability when establishing these measures.”
Sen. Pat Roberts and Sen. Jerry Moran both co-sponsored S.1140.
The mission of the Kansas Department of Agriculture includes advocating for and promoting the agriculture industry, the state’s largest industry, employer and economic contributor; while protecting natural resources, promoting public health and safety, protecting animal health, and providing consumer protection to the best of our ability.
To read Metzger’s entire testimony visit.
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