On June 26, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved a legislative package aimed at reforming the Clean Water Act (CWA), with measures designed to streamline permitting, reduce delays, and improve regulatory clarity for permit applicants — including livestock producers.
The 15-bill package includes the “Promoting Efficient Review for Modern Infrastructure Today (PERMIT) Act” (H.R. 3898), which agriculture groups strongly support. The reforms aim to reduce regulatory burdens and ensure that compliance expectations are consistent and attainable.
In a June 24 letter to the committee, a coalition of agriculture organizations — including the American Farm Bureau Federation, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Pork Producers Council, and others — endorsed the legislation, calling it a meaningful step toward a more predictable and workable permitting system.
Key provisions of the PERMIT Act include:
- Defining “agricultural stormwater” to clarify that both surface and subsurface runoff from agricultural lands — including those treated with manure, nutrients, crop protectants, or used for grazing — are covered under this exemption.
- Eliminating duplicative regulatory requirements for pesticide applications already governed under other laws.
- Codifying that permit limits must be achievable and within the control of the permit holder.
Livestock and crop producers have long expressed frustration with shifting interpretations and inconsistent enforcement of the CWA. If enacted, the reforms could help stabilize expectations and reduce compliance risks for regulated agricultural operations. The legislation now moves to the full House for consideration.
