In developing the rule, EPA and the Army listened carefully to input from the agriculture community, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and state Departments of Agriculture
• Normal farming, silviculture, and ranching practices. Those activities include ploughing, seeding,
cultivating, minor drainage, and harvesting for the production of food, fibre, and forest products.
• Soil and water conservation practices in a dry land.
• Agricultural stormwater discharges.
• Return flows from irrigated agriculture.
• Construction and maintenance of farm or stock ponds or irrigation ditches on dry land.
• Maintenance of drainage ditches.
• Construction or maintenance of the farm, forest, and temporary mining roads.
• Ensure fields flooded for rice are exempt and can be used for water storage and bird habitat.