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 those lands are more suited to agricultural purposes and there is little gained by 

 regulating these areas as wetlands. 



There is a need for Congress to strengthen and clarify that normal farming, 

 ranching and silvicultural activities will continue to be exempt from permit 

 requirements. We are concerned with recent developments, specifically limitations on 

 mechanized landclearing and reforestation, that could lead to a narrowing of this 

 exemption. Several years ago, there was a similar attempt to exclude the construction 

 of rice levees from the exemption protecting normal and routine farming activities. 

 H.R. 3465 moves favorably in that direction. In addition to the exemption of water 

 management activities relating to cranberry farming, we also urge you to include 

 similar activities used in the production of rice and aquaculture. 



Mr. Chairman, we also have serious concerns about the expansive definition of 

 dredged or fill material in H.R. 3465. Specifically, it appears that this legislation 

 would lead to the regulation of any land-use activity in or near waters of the United 

 States. We believe that this is excessive and unnecessarily broad. 



In conclusion, we believe that these suggestions will greatly improve the 

 wetlands regulatory program and reduce many of the inequities and difficulties faced 

 by farmers and ranchers. We look forward to working with you in this effort. 



(Attachment follows:) 



