Page 83 - MFB State Annual Meeting 2018 -- RESOLUTIONS BOOK

3.8.3. That baseline determinations of pollution be taken into account when nonpoint source pollution studies and policies are formulated;
3.8.4. Requiring that data generated by any water quality monitoring program, including development of standards and designated uses, be gathered and analyzed in a manner that meets the highest level of EPA Quality Control and Quality Assurance protocols;
3.8.5. The monitoring and standards of water quality being administered on a state level;
3.8.6. Adequate federal funding for United States Geological Survey (USGS) stream gauging program;
3.8.7. EPA conducting a federally funded cost/benefit analysis and risk assessment before imposing any additional regulatory proposal;
3.8.8. Amendments to the federal CWA and CZMA to provide that nonpoint sources be dealt with using voluntary Best Management Practices (BMP) or accepted agricultural practices, based on technically and economically feasible control measures; and
3.8.9. Only state level management of runoff from agricultural nonpoint source related activities. The EPA should recognize states with comprehensive livestock waste management programs as "functionally equivalent" to the federal program under the CWA.
3.9. The EPA should not grant authority to tribes to regulate water quality standards.
3.10. The CWA should not expand water quality standards to include the broad category of biological diversity.
3.11. Tax credits, low-interest loans, grants and preferential tax treatment should be made available to aid and encourage farmers to implement BMP or accepted agricultural practices. The use of BMP or accepted agricultural practices by the farmer or rancher should be conclusive proof of compliance and prevent prosecution under the CWA.
3.12. Surface and groundwater quality problems, originating at facilities owned, controlled or operated by the federal government, have often deteriorated to the point that positive action must be taken to remediate the problem. To protect our health, land, water and natural resources, federal facilities that have contaminated water affecting private landowners must take the following steps:
3.12.1. Whenever deemed necessary, a professional mediator, with no vested interest, should be engaged to facilitate interactions among the landowners, contractors and responsible federal government agency. The mediator must have access to technical and legal consultants to assist with decision making. The main objective of the mediator is to bring accountability to the remediation process;
3.12.2. Allow only the most affected parties to determine which agency would facilitate the process; and
3.12.3. Cost of the mediation would be the responsibility of the federal agency responsible for the contaminating facility.
4. Ground Water/Drinking Water 4.1. We support:
4.1.1. The use of Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL) in establishing drinking water standards for pesticides and urge that EPA expedite the standard setting process;
4.1.2. EPA action based on statistically significant trends that will serve as a warning that the MCL is being approached;
4.1.3. Action to prevent reaching the MCL;
4.1.4. EPA work with appropriate federal and state agencies and
institutions to best determine environmentally vulnerable areas when considering pesticide registration amendments and use prohibitions;
4.1.5. USDA as the primary federal agency to development and implementation of any federal groundwater policy or program affecting agriculture. Groundwater policy should be based on adequate scientific research;
AFBF Policies – Page 27