AG ISSUES

DISCUSSION WITH

WESTAR

SEPTEMBER 26, 2006

NATIONAL AG STRATEGY

• Sets an Agency vision for Agriculture

– Ag industry as a producer of solutions– Engage in collaborative efforts– Establish better communication– Develop innovative and voluntary programs

in addition to traditional regulatory tools

CROSS MEDIA APPROACH

• Ag Counselor established a cross-media team– Finalizing a matrix of environmental

regulations which could potentially affect Ag sources

– Composed of senior staff from all media offices

– Interested in applying concept to CAFOs– Spray Drift dialogue an ongoing example

Ag Air Quality Task Force

• Issues of Concern– PM NAAQS

• TSP as a regulated pollutant• Use of model results at the fence line• Sampling results in areas with large amounts of

PM>10• Regulation through consent decrees• CERCLA/EPCRA reporting• Application of CAA definitions to ag sources: crop

and animal production

AG AIR QUALITY TASK FORCE

• Ozone NAAQS– Concern with lowering the standard– Concern regarding a secondary standard– Concern re: interpretation of the science

regarding ozone impacts on crop yields

• Determination of BMPs, RACM, and BACM

OPPORTUNITIES FOR AG

• Renewable energy sources

• Environmental Credit Trading Program– Recommend that USDA encourage and foster

the continued emergence of market opportunities for trading and reducing GHG emissions.

AG BURNING

• Four recommendations to Secretary– Give immediate “Interim” status to 1999 Ag

policy– Add language to exceptional events rule that

EPA will address ag burning within 12 months of the Exceptional Events Rule

– Convene meeting to begin language development on rule by 9/30/06

– Blue Ribbon Panel to work on rule. Complete by 9/2007