Ever Wonder, Why Chesapeake Bay States "Fail" when it comes to a 40 yr.Clean Up Plan

[capt.george]

U.S. EPA Fails As a Chesapeake Bay 'Partner'
PFB says the federal agency prefers 'tough guy' role, and isn't helpful.

Published: Sep 24, 2010


Early this week, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau leaders expressed extreme dissatisfaction with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's professed partner role in cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay. In practice, the agency is acting more like a "tough guy", suggested John Bell, attorney for the state Farm Bureau organization.
In its public statements, U.S. EPA emphasizes its role as a partner in cleaning up the bay. But in practice, it plays a far different role, said Bell. Actions still speak louder than words.

The Obama administration agency also favors Senator Benjamin Cardin's Chesapeake Bay cleanup legislation which encourages "private action" lawsuits by pro-bono a law firm against individuals, noted the Mifflinville, Pa., farmer. "No individual farmer can afford a defense in such event. Cardin's legislation would be economically devastating for dairy farmers," he maintained.




EPA NEEDS ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT: "U.S. EPA should be encouraging new technologies to help agriculture, not developing more regulations," contends Pennsylvania Farm Bureau President Carl Shaffer.
Such a suit is already in federal court in Maryland. New York-based Waterkeepers Alliance has launched legal action against Alan and Kristin Hudson and Perdue Farms, Inc., for allegedly violating the Clean Water Act in Worcester County, Md. And, Waterkeepers Alliance is in another legal battle to gain release of information and names of farmers having nutrient management plans.

On the other hand, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has been a partner, noted Bell. But he added, the state agency has met with a lot of resistance from EPA.




The EPA along with the admin are in a redistribution of wealth mode of thinking.They are seeking ways to make it very difficult for producers to follow the regulations. The EPA wants to regulate CO2, dust and waterways of ALL kinds. They want to regulate food production to the point of telling producers what they can and cannot do. It will get worse before better. That is why the November elections are so important this year.

[goose70]

Good morning, Captain. Various agencies have tried for many years to get farmers and other polluters to adopt voluntary efforts. Where has that gotten us? If farmers were more interested in partnering with the EPA and other industries, then why did they not take that initiative before? Or why did they not just go ahead and take these steps, as an industry, on their own without waiting for the government to guide them?

[scottdd1]

And Jeff, you have proof that they haven't taken steps by what evidence?

Fairly broad brush you are painting with.

[goose70]

And Jeff, you have proof that they haven't taken steps by what evidence?

Fairly broad brush you are painting with.

I understand that some farmers have taken significant voluntary steps to address pollution. But you're right; I'm painting with a broad brush. From what I can see, the proof is in the pudding, but I'd be interested to know what steps agricultural business owners have taken, what percentage of them have taken those steps, how effective those steps have been and how they compare to what the EPA is proposing.

I have to admit that I have no expertise whatsoever in the agricultural industry. But I do deal extensively regulatory aspects, including public policy, of other industries and, almost without exception, voluntary efforts to curb pollution simply do not occur without at least the credible specter of a regulatory stick. This is particularly confounding because often, steps to curb pollution are also steps that reduce waste and improve efficiency. It's just that many businesses shy away from the upfront sunk costs unless absolutely necessary, since everyone is focused on the next quarter. If agriculture is different, then please show us how.

[fly flinger]

The Pennsylvania & Virginia Farm Bureau sell insurance to their members. So why do you think the various "Farm" Bureaus would be against regulations that would require its members to spend money that would be better spent with the bureaus? They are a self serving organization that spews out half & whole untruths to derail any legislation that costs their constituents money: the environment be dammed. They have orchestrated a huge letter writing campaign against the EPA's attempts to get tough with polluters that have killed the Chesapeake.

[soggy dog]

Good morning, Captain. Various agencies have tried for many years to get farmers and other polluters to adopt voluntary efforts. Where has that gotten us? If farmers were more interested in partnering with the EPA and other industries, then why did they not take that initiative before? Or why did they not just go ahead and take these steps, as an industry, on their own without waiting for the government to guide them?

Jeff,

Problem is 1) EPA is seen on the surface is a punitive form of the GOV and 2) When it really comes down to it their big stick gets smaller (with law suits etc.). I guess it comes down to economics? We've seen that on the Patuxent and Bay not to mention other matters. It hasn't gotten us too far. We've also seen subsidies and bailouts throughout the years. Maybe it's time for our Congress to make a REAL commitment to the Bay and it's tributaries. Lines are drawn in the sand between the states and users of the resources. We need responsible government to to make things right. I believe in our form of government...negotiation, negotiation, negotiation. No "BIG STICK" (where possible). Of course everything has it's price tag. We as a fishing community need to act and put pressure on. It's the only way we can save our tradition and resources for the future.

Off of My Soapbox Now (OMSN) :soapbox:

[rgminer]

90 million cubic tons of waste behind Conniwingo Dam. It didn't come from aliens..It came mostly from PA run off. If the damn ever fails (it's nearly 80 years old) the bay is ruined forever. Think PA will help pay the billions it would take to clean it out? But to answer your question...No I don't think the farmers are to blame.....right..

[hackeyfly]

I'm not a farmer, but I live next to a leased field that shifts between soybeans and corn in MD. My farmer plows vertically up and down the slopes, most of the topsoil is now in the swampy low areas and unusable. Due to the lost topsoil, a huge amount of fertilizer is applied to these fields prior to planting. Most of that ends up in the pond, causing it to be filled with algae all summer from May 'til just about now. We had to build berms to try to keep the topsoil and fertilizer out of the pond. The farmer also does not harvest what he plants, the last year beans were planted, they stayed in the field until February. Last year, the corn stayed up until March, then when he harvested, there was none because the birds had eaten it all. He made 3 trips around the field and went home. Same thing this year. Corn has been brown since the end of September, the grackles and deer are eating it every day, I bet at this point he has lost 50% of what he had a month ago. Add all that to the dairy farms I drive past on the way to work, livestock constantly in streams, hillsides eroded with cattle trails, it's a mess. And yet, these guys are subsidized with OUR tax dollars. I wish I could run a business that way and get paid to not accomplish the goal of the business, which should be producing a product and selling it for a profit. I guess for my guy, it's more profitable to take the loss than actually harvest the crop. If this is the business model most farmers follow, it's gonna be a long hard haul to get their act cleaned up.
Pat in Joppa