 |
| AFBF President Bob Stallman |
The American Farm Bureau Federation took
action Monday to appeal a recent court decision that upheld the Environmental
Protection Agency’s “pollution diet” for the 64,000-square-mile Chesapeake Bay
watershed. AFBF filed a notice to appeal the Sept. 13 federal district
court ruling, seeking reversal of a decision that gives EPA wide latitude to
dictate local land-use and development decisions.
“This is a wrongly decided case that has
dangerous implications for farmers and many others in the Chesapeake Bay area
and nationwide,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman. “This case isn’t about
whether or not to protect the Chesapeake Bay – we all share that goal. This case
is about whether EPA can dictate where farming will be allowed, where homes can
be built, and where businesses can be established. By taking over decisions
like that, EPA has turned the whole concept of cooperative federalism out the
barn door.”
AFBF seeks an appeal to preserve the primary
role of states in setting land use policy and determining how to achieve water
quality goals. According to AFBF, the Clean Water Act puts states in the
drivers’ seat to determine how farmers, builders, homeowners and towns will
share the responsibility of achieving clean water. EPA’s framework puts
EPA in control of those decisions.
“Win or lose on appeal, farmers and ranchers
will continue their dedicated efforts on the farm to improve water quality and
the natural environment,” said Stallman. “In the meantime, AFBF will continue
to oppose what we see as a remarkable power grab.”
No comments:
Post a Comment