For immediate release: April 2, 2009

Chippewa Falls, Wis. (April 2, 2009) - Wisconsin Farmers Union President Sue Beitlich praised U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) for re-introducing the Clean Water Restoration Act.

"Wisconsin Farmers Union is pleased to support Sen. Feingold's reintroduction of the Clean Water Restoration Act. As recent court rulings have rolled back the protection of bodies of water, the CWRA will strengthen the ability of the federal government to safeguard our valuable natural resources," Beitlich said.

"Farmers are and always will be stewards of the environment. After all, their livelihoods-more than any other-depend upon the quality of the water, air and soil," she continued.

Beitlich said the legislation will allow farmers to continue to farm on wetlands that have been used for years. However, she said the CWRA will protect wetlands that have not been farmed; those lands couldn't be used for any additional agricultural activities.

"Harming sensitive, ecologically important waterways - the lifeblood of our profession - is and never should be a viable option in agriculture," she said. "It's best to take a common sense approach - farm on what's been used, as needed, and leave the rest alone."

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