EPA now declares war on dust

Originally posted by article

In the latest step in its review of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established the foundation for unprecedented regulation of dust. According to EPA’s Second Draft Policy Assessment for Particulate Matter (PM), issued late last week, EPA may consider regulating coarse PM at levels as low as 65-85 µg/m3, twice as stringent as the current standard. Both the National Cattlemen's Beef Association and the American Farm Bureau are raising alarms in farm and ranch country about this latest push by the EPA to actively oppose farmers and ranchers from being allowed to do their everyday work out in the country- especially in drier areas of the US.
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Because of the high dust levels found in arid climates, many critical western industries have a difficult time meeting the current standard of 150 µg/m3. In some of these areas, “no-till” days have already been proposed for agriculture, severely hindering farmers’ ability to maintain productive operations.

“Farmers could be fined for everyday activities like driving a tractor down a dirt road or tilling a field,” said Thies. “It would effectively bring economic growth and development to a halt in many areas of the country.”

Page not found – Oklahoma Farm Report

http://www.oklahomafarmreport.com/wire/news/2010/07/00144_Buzz07142010_044214.php

Really dust, 1st CO2 now dust. really come on this is getting way outta hand. I will reaffirm my position that the EPA needs to GO AWAY. It become a punishment arm of the federal govt just like the IRS and this purposed mandate is more of the same.