02/02/05 E.P.A. Assistance Center

Now if one thinks farmers, ranchers, and ag types in general have been vocal, almost passionate over the last decade or so over about Environmental Protection Agency regulations pertaining to ground and air pollution, runoff from manure into ground water, pesticides, and other issues, well, its really nothing new. Many in agriculture have been at odds with the way E.P.A. has done business since its creation in 1970. The reasons have been farmer's perceptions of the series of confusing, many times overburdening regulations that had no basis in consultation with the ag sector. Or put another way, farmers and ranchers believed E.P.A. told them what to do instead of asking how it could be done. But in recent years, the amount of agriculture's discontent with E.P.A. has slightly subsided. That has been in part because of E.P.A.'s new approach to build partnerships with ag producers and include them in the process & an extension of the federal government's overall plan to resolve environmental and economic challenges through partnerships with stakeholders. MORTENSEN: I mean that's one of the things that we're really working on. We're really trying to create these partnerships, build trust, and get everybody at the table rather than across the table. Have everybody talking together about these issues and working on them. Ginah Mortensen is with E.P.A. Her specific role is as director of the Agency's National Compliance Assistance Center. The "Ag Center" as it is nicknamed is one of E.P.A's attempts to reach out to growers and ranchers. MORTENSEN: We focus on creating awareness about E.P.A.'s requirements, best management practices, focusing on partnerships particularly with U.S.D.A., the trade organizations, and states. We've worked on a number of projects including the development of livestock curriculum, and right now we're working on some materials, particularly focusing on livestock issues. Especially with new rules and restrictions on large livestock operations and their handling of runoff, manure, and other pollutants. But as Mortensen points out, E.P.A.'s goal is assistance in helping ag producers comply with the many requirements, many of which remain confusing at times. This approach is different from E.P.A.'s previous focus on fines and penalties as a way to force compliance. So how can ag producers learn more about E.P.A.'s Ag Center? They can go on line to www.epa.gov/agriculture, or give the agency a call at 1-888-663-2155.