Volume 146, No. 25 covering the 2nd Session of the 106th Congress (1999 - 2000) was published by the Congressional Record.
The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“TIMBER AND AGRICULTURE ENVIRONMENTAL FAIRNESS ACT” mentioning the Environmental Protection Agency was published in the Senate section on pages S1290-S1291 on March 8, 2000.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
TIMBER AND AGRICULTURE ENVIRONMENTAL FAIRNESS ACT
Mr. HUTCHINSON. Mr. President, I have heard from hundreds of private landowners, forest owners, and farmers in Arkansas who are greatly concerned about the Environmental Protection Agency's attempt to rewrite portions of the Clean Water Act.
I know the Senator from Idaho has been very much involved in this issue, has had hearings on this, and has been a leader in determining exactly what the EPA intends to do.
In August of last year, as the occupant of the chair knows, the EPA proposed a regulation which requires States to renew their efforts to fully implement a so-called voluntary total maximum daily load, or TMDL, program.
The States, in conjunction with the EPA, would establish TMDLs for water bodies statewide. If States fail to meet those TMDL guidelines, the EPA would then have the authority to enforce the new water quality standards. I believe that is what this agency had in mind all along.
Should the EPA be successful in carrying out their plans, this regulation will have a direct impact on two of my State's most important industries: agriculture and timber. Agriculture and forestry activity, which the EPA currently treats as potential ``non-point source'' polluters, could be regulated as point source pollution.
A regulation requiring foresters, private landowners and farmers to obtain discharge permits for traditional forestry and agriculture activities is costly, overly burdensome and unnecessary.
I believe this is yet another deliberate attempt to circumvent the Clean Water Act and legislate through regulation. Rewriting TMDL requirements and redefining point source pollution should be addressed when Congress, the elected representatives of the people, reauthorizes the Clean Water Act.
Arkansas has put forth a tremendous effort to implement statewide Best Management Practices and other water quality regulations.
If my State is required to establish and enforce expanded federal, one-size-fits-all TMDL standards, it must redirect already limited funds and resources away from successful State implementation programs and hand them over to bureaucratic EPA procedures and oversight.
These are some of the reasons why landowners in Arkansas are so upset. In early January I spoke at a meeting in El Dorado, AR, where 1,500 people attended to voice their concerns.
A few weeks later, 3,000 people attended a similar meeting in Texarkana, AR. Although the public comment period for this proposed regulation is over, a third meeting scheduled for later this month is expected to draw similar crowds.
The thousands of people who attend these meetings have families, busy schedules, and many other responsibilities, but they are willing to sacrifice their time to learn more about this proposed regulation and how it will affect their livelihood.
One of the core issues motivating Arkansans to attend public meetings by the thousand is trust. Ultimately, the people of my State do not trust the EPA. In other words, the EPA has not earned the trust of my constituents.
Clearly, the EPA has done an incredibly poor job communicating their proposal to those whom it will affect the most. During my time in public service, I have never seen this kind of public outcry to anything the EPA has done.
In response to the reaction from foresters, private landowners and farmers, private landowners and farmers in Arkansas, I have introduced S. 2139, the Timber and Agriculture Fairness Act.
My bill consists of two simple parts: First, it exempts silviculture operations and agriculture stormwater discharges from EPA's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permitting requirements; and, second, it defines nonpoint source pollution relating to both agriculture stormwater discharges and silviculture operations.
This two-prong approach, I believe, is the sensible way to winning back the trust of Arkansans and the American people.
We must remind ourselves that we have a Government ``of the people, by the people, and for the people.'' By passing this legislation, we will give the Government back to its original owners.
Mr. President, I ask my colleagues to support S. 2139.
I express my appreciation to the Senator from California for fitting me in between her comments.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Hutchinson). The Senator from Idaho.
Mr. CRAPO. I ask unanimous consent to speak for up to 10 minutes in morning business.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
Mr. CRAPO. I thank the Senator from California for allowing me to take a few moments to address the Senate.
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