Legislative update A December to remember in Washington
With the farm bill, Clean Water Act and infrastructure, Capitol Hill ended 2018 with a bang. By John Farner
2018, dedicating time to passing a much-needed farm bill, working with the Environmental Protection Agency in releasing a revised definition of “waters of the United States,” and setting the stage for even more investment in our nation’s infrastructure next Congress.
W Finally – a farm bill
First, after the November election and the news that the Democrats were taking control of the majority in the House of Representatives, the main negotiators for the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, otherwise known as the farm bill, got right to work in agreeing to a farm bill that closely aligned with the Senate-passed version from earlier in the year. While initial reactions to the bill were mixed, the farming community was generally supportive of Congress’ efforts and relieved that a bill was passed before the end of the congressional session. Specifically relating to agricultural irrigation, the bill
• funds the Environmental Quality Incentives Program at $1.75 billion in fiscal year 2019 and increasing to $2.025 billion in fiscal year 2023.
• increases the opportunities for EQIP participation to irrigation districts.
• recognizes the benefits of efficient irrigation relating to nutrient management and application.
• funds the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research at $185 million.
• increases the investment in rural broadband to $350 million. • develops new investment in irrigation-specific crop insurance research and provisions.
The Irrigation Association stands in support of the 2018 Farm Bill and looks forward to partnering with the U.S. Department of Agriculture in implementing these programs to promote the
ith the Democrats poised to take control of the House of Representatives this month, Republicans stretched out their majority control as much as possible at the end of
benefits of irrigation and the use of efficient irrigation practices and technologies.
Redefined water rule
Immediately after the farm bill agreement was reached, the U.S. EPA released its revised definition of the “waters of the United States” rule that gained much attention during the Obama administration. Commonly known as the Clean Water Act, this rule proposes to interpret the term “waters of the United States” to encompass “traditional navigable waters, including the territo- rial seas; tributaries that contribute perennial or intermittent flow to such waters; certain ditches; certain lakes and ponds; impoundments of otherwise jurisdictional waters; and wetlands adjacent to other jurisdictional waters.” A priority of the EPA since President Trump took office, the scope of the Clean Water Act has been under review, specifically relating to the definition developed in the final days before Trump took office. Once final, this definition, which has been widely accepted and supported by the agricultural communities, will provide much-needed clarity for many farmers relating to which bodies of water are regulated and which are not.
Finally, with the American Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 passing Congress with bipartisan support, President Trump is looking to build on this success with the Democratic House of Representatives this Congress in the form of an infrastructure bill. Details of any legislative proposals have yet to be made, but indications are that water infrastructure will be included as a way to bring in support from Republicans and Democrats.
The Irrigation Association remains optimistic about the future of agricultural water policy and looks forward to working with our partners and Congress in developing solutions that promote the benefits of agricultural irrigation throughout the new congressional session.
8 Irrigation TODAY | January 2019
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