First, the residents of Flint, Michigan, were drinking lead-contaminated water, all while Governor Snyder was well aware of water quality issues that ultimately destroyed people's emotional and physical health. Now, another state is in the throes of a government-versus-the-citizens water-related crisis, and the results could destroy farmers' livelihoods.

In a nutshell, the EPA has its sights set on Pendleton County, West Virginia – and not in a good way. There are 540 farms in the area, with each farm averaging a net income of approximately $45,000 annually. The median income in that county is just over $30,000, hardly an amount that exudes wealth. So what does the EPA think is appropriate to do to the people living in a low-income area? Why, take their farm land away, of course!(1)

The dire situation is perhaps best summed up in Third Circuit Court information stating that, "It is anticipated that a significant amount of Pendleton county farmland will have to be removed from production due to its proximity to waterways and the resulting impact of the Bay TMDL on local land use."(1)