If you mention the word “wetland” some people think you are purposing to plow religious soil. The cost to a rural private property owner doesn’t seem to matter. The cost to the ag industry is not a problem. Disease in crops is of no concern. Noxious weeds don’t matter until they reach the city. Keep all streams, rivers and lakes clean as long as there is no cost to the city.

The city can have an area up to two miles outside the city within their zoning control. If this is a development area, they can have raw sewage on top of the ground for children to play in. These people can have horses standing in pens one after another and built next to a watershed, so the pens can drain, within two miles of a river. I’ve seen these at Minot. And “they” say there’s no problem.

Now if you live in the country and own cattle or hogs, that’s a different story. Here comes the Clean Water Act. Beware of regulations for wetlands, creeks, streams, rivers, lakes, ponds and perhaps even heavy dew.

And the Clean Air Act! If someone from the city moves out near your place be mindful of the impacts or burdens you place on them. Your animals can’t make too much noise and they most definitely can’t give off odor. Even if your neighbor shingled his house using your barn for shade, you need to yield to his rights. Don’t worry about yours.

As you prepare for another planting season be mindful of your duties and obligations to the regulators including all state and federal agencies. There are many people who believe they need your property....with you paying the taxes, of course!

If you can find a way to make a difference, do it. How about an opinion piece in the local paper? Call or write your state legislators and the congressional delegation. We have to keep trying. It may not be a perfect system, but it’s the best system we’ve got.

Until next time....good luck!