Newly proposed federal legislation backed by both South Dakota senators aims to clarify definitions of converted cropland.
For several decades, wetlands converted to cropland prior to 1985 were exempt from Clean Water Act regulations.
Recent updates to the Waters of the United States rule muddy that exemption.
Sen. Mike Rounds and Sen. John Thune along with other Republican senators are introducing a bill to protect the original definition and exemptions of prior converted cropland.
Under the updated rule, converted lands would be subject to EPA regulations if they were no longer available for commodity production or flooded.
