The Environmental protection Agency is considering establishing limits to dicamba-based herbicides next year. Agriculture officials from several states that are advising the EPA on dicamba tell Reuters that the EPA is considering banning the use of dicamba after a cutoff date, likely in early 2018. The initiative is similar to rules being considered in Arkansas, which would ban the use …
Reasons to Build a Bat House
Cathy Isom tells us why and how to build a house for a fantastic night time creature that you’ll want to keep around. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Bats are overcoming centuries of bad publicity. In fact, they are fantastic to have around your home, especially your garden. For example, one brown bat, about the size …
EPA and the Army Seek Input in the Review of the Waters of the U.S. Rule
Stakeholder sessions will be held weekly between September and November The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of the Army (the agencies) will hold 11 sessions to give stakeholders an opportunity to provide recommendations on a revised definition of “waters of the United States.” The agencies will hold nine, 2-hour long teleconferences that will be tailored for specific …
Senator Seeks Money for Springs, St. Johns River
The chairman of the Senate Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee filed a proposal this week that would funnel tens of millions of dollars to protecting natural springs and restoring the St. Johns River. Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, filed the proposal (SB 204) for consideration during the 2018 legislative session, which starts in January. Under the proposal, the state would …
Farmers Federation Praises Glenn EPA Appointment
Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell praised the appointment of former Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) Director Trey Glenn as the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Southeast Region administrator. “Trey Glenn brings knowledge, experience and common-sense leadership to the EPA,” Parnell said. “He is committed to protecting the environment but understands the importance of working with stakeholders as partners in …
EPA Announces Appointment of Trey Glenn to Region 4 Administrator
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt announced the appointment of Trey Glenn of Alabama to become Regional Administrator for EPA’s Southeast Region (Region 4). Mr. Glenn will employ his 22 years of environmental and regulatory experience in leading the environmental protection efforts across Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Mr. Glenn served as …
New Drought Monitor Shows Both Improvements and Declines
The new Drought Monitor shows both vast declines and huge improvements in conditions across several parts of the country. Oklahoma is one state showing improvement. Oklahoma was 60 percent drought-free last week and recent rainfall has shrunk the areas under drought to just 14 percent. Cooler temps brought rainfall to much of northern Texas and Oklahoma that added up to …
Agri View: Drought and Farming
Everett Griner talks about drought and farming in the United States in today’s Agri View. Now, everybody knows what a drought is. It is something that affects everybody. Not just farmers. But, farmers are among the highest risk element of our entire population. You see, some areas of our country are more prone to drought than others. …
Dicamba Damage Reports Still Climbing
A new report issued on Monday shows the dicamba damage footprint is still growing. Both the number of investigations and damaged acres are climbing, especially in the Midwest. Kevin Bradley, a plant science professor at the University of Missouri, compiled the data and it shows complaints of off-site dicamba movement now cover 21 states, stretching from North Dakota to Georgia. …
Perdue Turning to Industry for Dicamba Fix
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue indicated to reporters this week that he would like to see the industry work out a fix on dicamba issues. Perdue said: “I would much prefer that method rather than a prescriptive, top-down regulation,” in saying that he is “hoping that the industry itself and the producers themselves are working toward a resolution,” according to Politico. …