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All waters from wetlands to gutters may soon fall under the jurisdiction of the new Clean Water Restoration Act, said Blanco County Farm Bureau S & T, Adrian Schulze.

“The newly proposed Clean Water Restoration Act removes the word ‘navigable’, mandating that all waters may fall under its jurisdiction,” Schulze said. “These written changes give the federal government too much power.”

Congress earlier this summer proposed changes to the 1972 Clean Water Act that would replace the term “navigable waters” with “all intrastate waters.” The Farm Bureau contends that ponds built for personal use or irrigation systems on farms could be regulated.

The American Farm Bureau Federation argues that the federal government will require permits for water-related activities. The activities would then need the approval of the federal government.

“Why would we harm a resource so vital to our business?” Schulze said.