PHOTO COURTESY OF THE OFFICE OF REP. ASHLEY HINSON

U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa) made a stop last Monday, Jan. 23 in Dysart at Youngblut Ag, Inc. to discuss the upcoming Farm Bill and “the importance of pushing back against WOTUS [Waters of the United States] regulations,” according to a Facebook post from the Congresswoman’s office that followed the event.

The 1972 amendments to the Clean Water Act established federal jurisdiction over “navigable waters” which are defined in the Act as “waters of the United States” – or WOTUS.

The Clean Water Act provides authority for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the United States Dept. of the Army to define WOTUS in regulations. This past December the two agencies announced the final ‘Revised Definition of WOTUS’ which will go into effect on March 20 of this year.

According to a press release from the EPA, the final rule covers “those waters that Congress fundamentally sought to protect in the [original] Clean Water Act – traditional navigable waters, the territorial seas, interstate waters, as well as upstream water resources that significantly affect those waters.”

The new WOTUS rule instantly garnered criticism from both farm groups and Republicans in Congress who believe it will expand federal jurisdiction over agricultural lands.

Pete Youngblut, left – owner/operator of Youngblut Ag, Inc. – speaks with U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, right, on Monday, Jan. 23, in Dysart as part of her tour of his business. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE OFFICE OF REP. ASHLEY HINSON

In addition to discussing agricultural issues during her visit to Youngblut Ag, owner/operator Pete Youngblut was on hand to give Rep. Hinson a tour of the facilities.

Youngblut Ag – founded in January of 2013 – sells precision agricultural products from major manufacturers including Ag Leader and NORAC.

Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa), left, discusses the upcoming Farm Bill among other agricultural issues with local farmers during a stop at Youngblut Ag, Inc. in Dysart on Jan. 23. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE OFFICE OF REP. ASHLEY HINSON