National Ag Law Center analyzes potential impacts of overturning chevron doctrine on environmental regulations during NASDA Annual Meeting

Press Release

INDIANAPOLIS - At today's 2024 Annual Meeting, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture hosted National Agricultural Law Center's Director Harrison Pittman, Senior Staff Attorney Rusty Rumley and Staff Attorney Brigit Rollins for a discussion on the potential impacts of the U.S. Supreme Court overturning the Chevron doctrine during the Natural Resources and Environment Policy Committee meeting.

The Chevron doctrine is a legal precedent that guided judicial deference to federal agency interpretations of ambiguous statutes for four decades. Established in the 1984 Supreme Court case Chevron U.S.A., Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc., the Chevron doctrine allowed federal agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency to implement and enforce regulations based on their interpretation of laws passed by Congress. When NASDA spoke with Pittman on this discussion, Pittman said the recent reversal could lead to significant changes in how environmental regulations are created, interpreted and enforced.

"This landmark decision will take years to fully play out, but the potential consequences for a host of laws applicable to agriculture, including the Endangered Species Act, wetlands regulation, the Clean Water Act and pesticide regulation cannot be understated," Pittman said.

State agriculture departments work closely with federal agencies to implement environmental programs, and in many cases, as co-regulators with other state agency counterparts.

"We're extremely proud to be a resource to NASDA on this and other important issues facing agriculture," Pittman said.

NASDA thanks Pittman for his insights to this developing situation and will continue to monitor the impacts of this decision. NASDA is committed to advocating for clear and effective environmental policies that enhance agricultural productivity and protect natural resources.

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NASDA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit association which represents the elected and appointed commissioners, secretaries and directors of the departments of agriculture in all 50 states and four U.S. territories. NASDA enhances American food and agricultural communities through policy, partnerships and public engagement. To learn more about NASDA, please visit www.nasda.org.