2009 Annual Meeting Report - Natural Resources and Pesticide Management Committee

Natural Resources & Pesticide Management Committee

Chairman Leonard Blackham, Utah

Vice Chairman Bill Northey, Iowa

NASDA Annual Meeting

Montgomery, Alabama

 COMMITTEE REPORT

Summary of Committee Action:  

 Dialogue with Environmental Protection Agency on Environmental Issues Affecting Agriculture

Larry Elworth, Agriculture Counselor to the Administrator, U.S. EPA (via conference call), provided an update on several important issues relating to agriculture and his role as Agriculture Counselor to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson. Mr. Elworth told the Committee that EPA will most likely have its rule on RFS2 completed by the end of the year, followed by a 60-day opportunity for Congress to comment. Mr. Elworth also detailed EPA’s work following the decision in the Sixth Circuit which will require NPDES permits for pesticide applications in, over, and near water. EPA will host a webinar on October 7 and provide information at meetings scheduled at EPA headquarters in October. Mr. Elworth will provide details on those meetings to NASDA. Mr. Elworth also indicated he would work to implement a regular mechanism through which NASDA members could communicate with him and senior leaders at EPA. 

 NPDES Permits for Pesticide Applications “in, over, and near” Water

Report from the Association of American Pesticide Control Officials

Tim Creeger with the Association of American Pesticide Control Officials detailed activities state pesticide control officials are engaged in related to the NDPES permit issue. A group of AAPCO members meet with EPA and participate with EPA officials on a regular basis as EPA is preparing permits in response to the ruling in the Sixth Circuit. Mr. Creeger emphasized the importance of Congress passing legislation to address the problem.

 Issues Facing Agriculture and the Pesticide Industry

Jeff Case with CropLife America provided members with an update on industry’s legal, regulatory and legislative action on the NPDES permit issue. Mr. Case also emphasized that while EPA seems to be approaching the development of NPDES permits based on a narrow reading of the Sixth Circuit’s decision, additional lawsuits could dramatically expand the scope of the issue. 

 Grazing and Rangeland Management

Janette Kaiser, Director for Rangeland Management with the US Forest Service spoke to the Committee about Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack’s vision for USDA, as well as Forest Service Chief Thomas Tidwell’s goals for the Forest Service. Ms. Kaiser spoke about her desire to build cooperative relationships with NASDA members and to find opportunities for partnership. She also spoke to the barriers Secretary Vilsack is working to overcome, particularly the challenges faced with litigation.

 Methyl Bromide

Dr. Scott Enebak, Professor & Director, Forest Health Dynamics Laboratory at Auburn University presented information to the Committee Methyl Bromide. Specifically, Dr. Enebak detailed historical background on Methyl Bromide and the Montreal Protocol, as well as evaluation of Methyl Bromide under the Food Quality Protection Act. Dr. Enebak also discussed the new 2010 Methyl Bromide labels and the problems states are encountering with those. Finally, Dr. Enebak detailed ramifications (e.g. disease, invasive species, pests, decreased yields, and the loss of agricultural production) associated with limited Methyl Bromide use and availability.

 Report from the Association American Plant Food Control Officials (AAPFCO)

AAPFCO Secretary Joseph Slater provided a written report to the Committee on AAPFCO’s activities over the past year.

 Discussion and Consideration of 6-Month Work Plan, Policy Amendments and Action Items

The Committee recommended approval, as amended, of Policy Amendment 1, submitted by the Association American Plant Food Control Officials, regarding fertilizer regulation and the use of nutrient management planning.

 The Committee recommended approval, as amended, of Policy Amendment 2, submitted by the Association American Plant Food Control Officials, stating that fertilizers should not be regulated by political subdivisions below the level of the state.

 The Committee recommended approval, as amended, of Policy Amendment 4, submitted by Commissioner Blackham of Utah clarifying states’ roles in water pesticide regulation management.

 The Committee voted to recommend that the NASDA Board of Directors change the Committee name from Natural Resources and Pesticide Management Committee to Natural Resources, Pesticide Management and Environment Committee

 The Committee recommended to incoming NASDA President Ed Kee to create a workgroup under the Committee on the issue of NDPES permits. 

 The Committee voted with the required two-thirds vote to recommended approval of an action item (subsequently labeled Action Item H), submitted by Commissioner Troxler of North Carolina, to direct NASDA staff to communicate and work with Congress NASDA’s significant concerns over Methyl Bromide