The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wednesday released the final version of the Clean Water Rule that has become known as the Waters of the United States or WOTUS which they say protects clean water “while respecting agriculture.” EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy and Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Jo-Ellen Darcy released … Read More
NCBA: EPA Writes off Rural America
The Environmental Protection Agency finalized its “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) proposed rule, which unilaterally strips private property rights and adds hundreds of thousands of stream miles and acres of land to federal jurisdiction. In the Clean Water Act, they added language to the law that leaves regulation up to the subjectivity of individual regulators across the country. By … Read More
California Dairy Farmer Protects Blackbirds
A dairy farmer from Tipton, California was recognized for his work in protecting the Tricolored Blackbird. Frank Mendonsa is the President of Western United Dairymen and the owner of the silage fields that became a temporary nesting grounds for the emergency-listed birds. Mendonsa delayed his harvest to allow the birds to raise their young. “When the birds first appeared on … Read More
Senators Introduce WOTUS Rewrite Bill
A bipartisan group of U.S. Senators introduced a bill Thursday that calls on EPA to develop a new “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) proposal. The senators, including John Barrasso (R-WY), Joe Donnelly (D-IN), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Joe Manchin (D-WV), jointly introduced the Federal Water Quality Protection Act, directing EPA and the U.S. … Read More
Chicken Litter – A Hot Commodity
Jenny Rhodes, Extension Educator for University of Maryland in Queen Anne’s County and local poultry farmer, was asked to attend the 2015 Chicken Media Summit to talk about chicken manure. For her first 10 years in extension, Jenny wrote nutrient management plans. These plans are state mandated and any farmer meeting it’s requirements must have one for their operation. “In … Read More
2014 Pork Industry Environmental Stewards
The Pork Checkoff, along with its cosponsor, National Hog Farmer magazine, honored the 2014 Pork Industry Environmental Stewards at the 2015 National Pork Industry Forum held in San Antonio, Texas, last week. The award, in its 20th year, recognizes producers who are dedicated to safeguarding the environment and contributing to their local communities. The 2014 award recipients are: • Bruce … Read More
Apply for USPOULTRY's 2015 Clean Water Awards
USPOULTRY is accepting applications for the 2015 Clean Water Awards. The awards recognize outstanding performance of wastewater treatment plants that operate at poultry or egg processing facilities. Winners will be announced at USPOULTRY’s 2015 Environmental Management Seminar to be held Sept. 24 – 25, at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa in Destin, Fla. Awards are presented in … Read More
Nominations for NCBA Environmental Stewardship Awards
Cattle producers who protect the environment while operating a profitable cattle business are encouraged to participate in the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s 25th annual Environmental Stewardship Award Program. There will be seven regional winners and one national winner chosen by a committee of representatives from universities, conservation organizations, federal and state agencies, and cattle producers. “Environmental stewardship and conservation have … Read More
Milk Producers Ask for Changes to WOTUS Rule
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) wants some changes to the proposed Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) regulation. This news release from the group outlines what it wants the Environmental Protection Agency to do about the controversial proposal that could greatly expand the waterways subject to regulation under the federal Clean Water Act (CWA). NMPF, the voice of more than … Read More
Poultry Producers: Waters of U.S. Rule Would Burden Ops
Poultry producers are warning that the controversial proposed Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule would significantly burden their operations. In a news release, the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, National Chicken Council and National Turkey Federation filed comments with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding the proposed rule developed by the EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ … Read More