U.S. EPA Administrator Michael Regan spoke to the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) hybrid annual meeting this morning and pledged to work with them on rewriting the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule.

“Normal farming, silviculture and ranching activities, as defined by the Clean Water Act, will not require a permit,” said Regan. “We are pledging to engage all of our stakeholders, be extremely transparent, learn the lessons of the past, and charge forward with a doable rule that provides certainty, that doesn’t overburden or penalize the small farmer, while protecting water quality and good drinking water.”

Regan says they hope to have a preliminary rule out by November.