Stirring Up Some Dust

November 2006
Pat Miller - Okeechobee County Extension, Dairy & Water Quality Agent

Several months ago, we received an unusual phone call from a concerned citizen. This particular cattle owner lived near the proposed sight of a manufacturer of concrete homes. As with many such proposals, the NIMBY principle was in full force. The caller wanted information on how harmful cement dust would be to his cattle. Usually these kinds of calls come from rural area residents trying to get an agricultural practice or enterprise changed in their favor, not from the agriculture producer!

A couple of days ago I was traveling on SR 70 and passed by the site of a sod producer. They were in the middle of leveling and ditching new sod fields. The dust was incredible, not only from where the tractors and equipment were running, but, over the entire newly laid bare and leveled site. You could see a dust cloud 5 miles away at first I thought it was smoke. Happily, this particular producer is literally miles from anywhere.

So, what's the point? On September 21, the EPA released a final rule on air quality standards. This rule places agricultural dust in the same category as coarse particulate matter found in urban areas and holds it to the same standard subject to regulation.

Everyone involved with production agriculture -whether livestock or crops - could have their business drastically altered. As with many EPA rules, businesses that don't comply could be subject to fines, lawsuits and regulatory action. "EPA has completely missed the boat on this one," said NCBA President Mike John. "This rule has the potential to affect practically every farm in America and put many out of business. The rule lacks scientific validity and is based on flawed assumptions regarding coarse particulate matter (coarse PM) concentration levels."

NCBA is studying the rule, which runs for hundreds of pages, and options for remedies and ways to help producers comply. NCBA submitted extensive comments on the issue, including technical evidence demonstrating that fugitive dust from agriculture operations presents no public health concerns. In fact, EPA even concedes that there are powerful reasons for not adopting a coarse PM standard. The limit is set at 150 micrograms per cubic meter during a 24-hour period, basically an impossible concept in rural areas that often are naturally dusty.

In reaction to the dust rule, Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) called for a hearing on the matter and invited EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson to Iowa to discuss on-site how EPA expects farmers to contain dust on their farms. Johnson has accepted the invitation.

"This will give you the opportunity to see what America's farmers are confronted with when harvesting," Grassley wrote in a letter to Johnson. "Iowa farmers should not have to worry about whether or not they have legal protection because of dust from their normal course of operations."

NCBA supports other dust control measures, which range from soil conservation to fugitive dust control plans, many contained in air pollution control permits or approved by air pollution control agencies. Ranchers carry out those measures every day of every year while supplying America with the food it needs. The final rule is posted online at the U.S. EPA Particulate Matter Web site.

So often, those of us in the production end of agriculture tend to stay close to home, mind our own business and as the cable guy says, "get er done". We must remain mindful that there are influences on our agricultural industry working somewhere, often unseen, often a long way away, often by unknowing people, but working against us. We are monitored for water quality and expected to clean up rain water. We have pressure to raise our stock humanely and minimize the use of medicines. The consumer wants a more consistent, high quality product. They want it more convenient, cheaper and easier to prepare. As always, we must find ways to become more efficient and produce the product the consumer wants.

The bottom line here, is each and every producer is effected by forces way beyond their direct control. If nothing else folks, we are way out numbered! We need to work individually and collectively to stay abreast of these forces so that our voices can be heard. Stay informed, join and participate in industry associations, talk to your legislators, and if not already, become active in promoting your industry.

Preaching to the choir at the coffee shop has little effect on the street outside.

References

The above information comes from "Beef Business".

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