A federal pilot program aims to support farmers in Minnesota and protect them from new environmental regulation if they agree to lessen the flow of agricultural runoff into the headwaters of the Mississippi River, reports Energy & Environment news. Federal officials say they hope the program will make farmers more responsible about water quality.
Farmers would enter a 10-year agreement in which they would limit erosion and fertilizer, pesticide and manure runoff. In return, the federal government will provide technical help, funding and certify farmers in a new Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program. Farmers would then be exempt from new environmental requirements that might be imposed generally.
Conservation groups say the program won't provide enough protection for the Mississippi's headwaters. They say farmers will be exempt from following the Clean Water Act, and this will create a bigger burden on other polluters, like cities and sewage treatment plants. Funding for the program would be provided in the next Farm Bill. (Read more)
Farmers would enter a 10-year agreement in which they would limit erosion and fertilizer, pesticide and manure runoff. In return, the federal government will provide technical help, funding and certify farmers in a new Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program. Farmers would then be exempt from new environmental requirements that might be imposed generally.
Conservation groups say the program won't provide enough protection for the Mississippi's headwaters. They say farmers will be exempt from following the Clean Water Act, and this will create a bigger burden on other polluters, like cities and sewage treatment plants. Funding for the program would be provided in the next Farm Bill. (Read more)
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