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NCGA Sees TMDL Delay as Step
in the Right Direction (8-13-01)
The
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) late last week proposed a delay
in the implementation of the Total Maximum Daily Load Regulation (TMDL).
The EPA is seeking to delay the implementation of the regulation an
additional 18 months.
The
regulation, finalized in July 2000, was contested by the NCGA and Congress,
based on the belief that EPA had overstepped its regulatory authority
under the Clean Water Act. NCGA filed a lawsuit on these grounds after
Congress mandated a delay, stating the EPA could not implement the rule
until October 2001. NCGA's lawsuit is still ongoing and there are several
issues that EPA needs to resolve regarding the regulation, prior to
implementation of the rule.
Jamie
Jamison, Chairman of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) Production
and Stewardship Action Team and Dickerson, Md. corn grower, said while
EPA's action is a step in the right direction; NCGA still has concerns
over the July 2000 rule.
"I
think this action shows the EPA's willingness to discuss many of our
concerns with the regulation that could affect corn growers," he
said. "NCGA supports this delay and we will continue to be part
of the debate on revising the TMDL regulation."
The
EPA is accepting written comments on the 18-month TMDL extension through
Sept. 10. If you would like to make your voice heard, visit our Legislative
Action Center at the NCGA website, http://www.ncga.com.
Last
reviewed August 13, 2001
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