The Missouri Farm Bureau has put together interactive maps to give a feel of how the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule that goes into effect this weekend will impact the state. Well over 95% of the state of Missouri will qualify as a water of the U.S. under this rule.

I spoke with Blake Hurst, president of the Missouri Farm Bureau before they held a press conference at last week’s Missouri State Fair to learn more about how the WOTUS final ruling and how others forms of over regulation will impact agriculture.

“The House has passed a bill that would stop WOTUS. It has not been voted on in the Senate. The most important thing to do right now is to get a hold of our senators and tell them to vote to stop the final rule on Water of the U.S. I think it can be done. It will be a big challenge. We need to send a strong message that the final rule is bad for agriculture and anyone who moves dirt.”

Blake said he is also very concerned about the new Clean Air ruling. He recently spoke with the head of Missouri’s Rural Electric Cooperative and they will soon have an estimate on how much it will increase electric bills. They are guessing as much as a 50% increase. “That is an example of regulation that affects people in their pocketbook and will affect them very soon. We need to be aware of what is happening to us and get active.”

Listen to my complete interview with Blake here: [wpaudio url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/zimmcomm/msf-15-hurst.mp3″ text=”Interview with Blake Hurst, Missouri Farm Bureau”]

View and download photos from the event here: Missouri Farm Bureau WOTUS Press Conference Photos