A three year strategy was recently announced to improve water quality and ecosystem health along the five gulf coast states affected by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief, Jason Weller, has more information about this new conservation effort. Download Audio
Judge Refuses to Halt Changes in Water Standards
FROM THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA By JIM SAUNDERS THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE, October 11, 2016………. An administrative law judge has refused to block the Florida Department of Environmental Protection from moving forward with new water-quality standards as legal battles continue over the controversial plan. Judge Bram D.E Canter issued an order Monday rejecting a request by the Seminole Tribe of …
Lawmakers and Lobbyists Continue Efforts with WOTUS
Agriculture lawmakers and lobbyists charge that the Environmental Protection Agency’s continued efforts to enforce its Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule, is endangering the very practice of farming. A California farmer has decided to take on the EPA in court over
AFBF Asks Presidential Candidates about Ag Issues
Many eyes were on the presidential debate Monday night, which did not really cover issues concerning agriculture. But the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) recently asked the two major party presidential candidates their views on issues important to agriculture. Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump both responded to AFBF’s questions on everything from environmental and regulatory issues to
New Gulf Restoration Strategy Helps Florida Coastland
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida has announced it will invest $9,635,389 in the state to install conservation practices on 70,410 acres of private land to improve water quality and coastal ecosystems. Download Audio
Clinton in Favor of WOTUS, Trump Against
The Presidential candidates are split when it comes to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Waters of the U.S. rule. This week, Democratic candidate Hilary Clinton told Farm Futures she supports the rule that seeks to clarify the types of water the EPA can regulate under the Clean Water Act.
Alabama Landowners Reminded of NRCS Signup Batching Deadline
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Alabama has announced that October 21st is the signup batching date for producers interested in 2017 funding for four of their conservation programs. Download Audio
Report Shows EPA Continues to Enforce WOTUS
A new report shows despite a court order injunction, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continues to enforce the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule. Scott Yager, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Environmental Counsel, discusses that Senate Environment and Public Works Committee report. Download Audio
RCPP Offers Opportunities in Alabama
The Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), through USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Alabama, promotes coordination between NRCS and its partners to deliver conservation assistance to producers and landowners. NRCS provides assistance to producers through partnership agreements and through program contracts or easement agreements. Steve Musser, assistant state conservationist for programs with Alabama NRCS, encourages folks to learn more about …
Challenges to New Water Standards Tossed Out
FROM THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA By JIM SAUNDERS THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE, September 14, 2016………. Siding with the Department of Environmental Protection on procedural grounds, an administrative law judge has rejected a series of challenges to controversial new state water-quality standards. Judge Bram D.E. Canter on Tuesday issued an 11-page ruling that dismissed the challenges filed last month by the …