March 15, 2001
The Honorable Christine Todd Whitman
Administrator
Environmental Protection Agency
Ariel Rios Federal Building
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20004
Dear Administrator Whitman:
On behalf of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA), we are writing today to offer a recommendation to improve agricultural environmental policy management, and strengthen the partnership between our state agencies and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
As you are well aware from your experience in New Jersey, states are partners in the federal system of environmental protection. For instance, the state agriculture departments have long been the lead state agencies for implementing federal pesticide laws. However, the scope and range of our activities are expanding. For example, major initiatives on water quality and the Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) program, Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) regulations, and endangered species protection, all will have a significant impact on agricultural activities and individual farm and ranch operations for years to come.
NASDA formally adopted a resolution during our mid-year meeting recommending that EPA hold periodic meetings with the directors of the state agricultural departments to discuss agricultural environmental goals, policies, and regulations. We believe such a dialogue would help us form an effective successful working partnership with EPA that will significantly enhance our shared commitment to an agricultural production system which can coexist in harmony with the environment.
We would like to schedule a meeting at your earliest convenience to further discuss the structure and details of our proposal. If you or your staff have any questions, please feel free to contact either Rick Kirchhoff or Charlie Ingram in the NASDA Washington office at (202) 296-9680.
Sincerely,
<signed>
Leon Graves
President, NASDA
Commissioner, Vermont Department of Agriculture
Tommy Irvin
Chairman, Pesticide Regulation Committee
Commissioner, Georgia Department of Agriculture