Governor to Discuss Kansas Response to Water Rule

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) – Gov. Sam Brownback is preparing to announce new efforts by Kansas to protest a new federal rule asserting regulatory authority over many of the nation’s streams and wetlands.

Brownback was having a Statehouse news conference Thursday to discuss the rule proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The Republican governor has made his opposition to the rule part of his re-election campaign in rural areas ahead of the Nov. 4 election. He’s in a tough race with Democratic challenger Paul Davis.

The EPA contends the rule clarifies which waters are shielded from development under federal law.

But agriculture groups and farm-state officials like Brownback call the proposed rule a power grab that would allow the government to dictate what farmers can do on their own land.