Smith stops at Scott County farm on districtwide farm tour

NEW HAMBURG -- A Scott County farm was among Congressman Jason Smith's stops in the midst of his third annual districtwide farm tour.

Smith made a stop at Triple B farms which consists of Robin Burger; his son, Heath Burger; and nephew, Blake Burger. The family members farm 6,000 acres of wheat, soybeans, corn and rice in Missouri and Illinois.

The farm's home base is located just off Scott County Road 244 and nestled between the small communities of New Hamburg, Benton and Oran.

Smith toured the farm Monday and discussed issues brought up by the Scott County farmers which, he said, were very similar to those voiced by farmers elsewhere in the district.

"The issues with EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) have been the No 1. issue that's come up over and over," Smith said of his tour. "The Waters of the United States rule has been the No. 1 issue they've been talking about with the EPA."

Smith was critical of the EPA's proposed Waters of the United States rule that attempts to assert more federal authority over private land.

"This rule redefines 'navigable waterway' as virtually anyone's imagination," Smith said.

This rule could regulate nearly every area of the ground that gets wet or has flow during rainfall. This includes ponds, puddles, temporary or small wetlands, irrigation ditches or similar collections of water, Smith said.

"It was passed out of the House, but thankfully, 13 states' attorney generals -- including Missouri's -- filed a lawsuit against the EPA to stop these rules because it's clearly beyond the EPA's authority," Smith said.

For the full story, see Wednesday's edition of the Standard Democrat.