EPA administrator Gina McCarthy said the agency will complete its Waters of the United States rule and is “still looking at spring” as the likely release date, says DTN. The regulation, which would define the upstream reach of the Clean Waters Act, is opposed by many farm groups, who fear it will mean federal jurisdiction of farm ditches. The $1 trillion government funding bill passed by Congress would block EPA for issuing its proposed interpretative rule that would accompany the so-called WOTUS rule. Republican lawmakers say they will try in the new year to pass legislation to prevent the water rule from taking effect.