Category Archives: Federal Regulations

December 18, 2015 Weekly Round Up

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We are exactly one week from Christmas!  I hope you all are more prepared for the holiday than I am at this point!  Here are some ag law stories making news this week. *EPA violated the law by pushing “WOTUS” rule on social media.  The Government Accountability Office found this week that the EPA violated federal law in its social media campaign in favor of its “Waters of the United States” rule.  Government agencies are certainly permitted to use social media in order to provide information, but may not… Read More →

2015 National Agriculture Law Year in Review (Part II)

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Today we continue in our review of national agricultural law developments in 2015.  If you missed Part I of this series, click here. EPA Revokes Approval for Suloxaflor and Enlist Duo.  Just a few weeks ago, the EPA announced it would revoke approval for suloxaflor (active ingredient in Transform) and withdraw its approval for the Enlist Duo.  Both were a result of litigation filed by environmental groups challenging the approval of these products.  Dow Chemical has stated it is confident that the EPA’s concerns can be addressed quickly… Read More →

2015 National Agriculture Law Year in Review (Part I)

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As 2015 draws to a close, I thought it would be interesting to take a look back at the top agricultural law developments this year.  First, we will take a couple of posts to look at the national year in review, followed up by a look at the biggest Texas-specific happenings next week. From “Waters of the United States” to drones to GMOs to the United States Supreme Court, 2015 has been a busy year for agricultural law.  Here are the highlights. “Waters of the United States” regulation… Read More →

December 4, 2016 Weekly Round Up

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I have enjoyed being back on the road for several programs over the last couple of weeks.  I enjoyed the chance to speak at the New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau meeting in Albuquerque, discussing undercover video investigations.  Next, I sat on a panel at the Amarillo Farm and Ranch Show and fielded questions about laws related to prescribed burning and drone use.  Finally, yesterday I was in Wichita Falls presenting on grazing leases at the Cattle Trails Cow-Calf Conference.  Welcome to those of you who are new… Read More →

September & October Round Up (Part 1)

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Hello!  I am back in the saddle again after spending some time on maternity leave.  Thank you all so much for your kind wishes for our little family. During middle of the night feedings, I’ve managed to stay up to date on what’s been happening in the ag law world.  Here are some of the top stories from the last two months. WOTUS rule stayed nationwide, cases will not be consolidated.  As you previously read, the United States Court of Appeal for the Sixth Circuit has issued a… Read More →

Breaking News: Sixth Circuit Issues Nationwide Stay on WOTUS Rule

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The United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit has issued a nationwide stay on the EPA’s new “waters of the United States” rule. For more information, click here for an article by AgWeb.

September 11, 2015 Weekly Round Up

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Here are a few of the major ag law stories in the news this week. * Texas Supreme Court Will Consider City of Lubbock v. Coyote Lake Ranch. Last Friday, the Texas Supreme Court granted Coyote Lake Ranch’s petition for review in this important water law case that asks whether the accommodation doctrine should be applied to groundwater.  Lower courts split on this issue, with the trial court issuing a preliminary injunction in favor of Coyote Lake Ranch, which was overruled by the Amarillo Court of Appeals, which held… Read More →

September 4, 2015 Weekly Round Up

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Here is the first weekly round up of September!  The year is really flying by!  Here are some ag law stories in the news this week. *  Is New “WOTUS” Rule In Effect in Texas?  As you read last week, a North Dakota federal judge issued an injunction in a case brought by 13 states, prohibiting enforcement of the EPA’s new “waters of the United States” rule.  After the decision, all sides were claiming victory.  All sides agree that in the 13 states (including New Mexico) party to… Read More →

The Clean Water Act and Agriculture: The Basics

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The “waters of the United States” controversy has been a hot button issue in the agriculture industry for over a year now.  It’s showing no signs of slowing down.  But many people fail to understand that there is more to this issue than the definition of “waters of the United States.”  For example, even if a stream running across one’s property is deemed a “water of the United States” under the EPA’s new rule, that does not mean the landowner must obtain a permit in order to conduct… Read More →

August 7, 2015 Weekly Round Up

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Last night I spoke at the Amarillo Ag Club meeting and really enjoyed the great discussion with everyone in the group!  To those of you new to the blog from that meeting, welcome!  Here are some ag law stories in the news this week. *  Idaho “Ag Gag” Law Held Unconstitutional.  A federal judge in Idaho has ruled the state’s “ag gag” law, which was passed last year to prohibit persons obtaining access to ag operations through false pretenses or recording ag operations without consent, violates the United… Read More →