AG ISSUES DISCUSSION WITH WESTAR SEPTEMBER 26, 2006

NATIONAL AG STRATEGY Sets an Agency vision for Agriculture –Ag industry as a producer of solutions –Engage in collaborative efforts –Establish better communication –Develop innovative and voluntary programs in addition to traditional regulatory tools

CROSS MEDIA APPROACH Ag Counselor established a cross-media team –Finalizing a matrix of environmental regulations which could potentially affect Ag sources –Composed of senior staff from all media offices –Interested in applying concept to CAFOs –Spray Drift dialogue an ongoing example

Ag Air Quality Task Force Issues of Concern –PM NAAQS TSP as a regulated pollutant Use of model results at the fence line Sampling results in areas with large amounts of PM>10 Regulation through consent decrees CERCLA/EPCRA reporting Application of CAA definitions to ag sources: crop and animal production

AG AIR QUALITY TASK FORCE Ozone NAAQS –Concern with lowering the standard –Concern regarding a secondary standard –Concern re: interpretation of the science regarding ozone impacts on crop yields Determination of BMPs, RACM, and BACM

OPPORTUNITIES FOR AG Renewable energy sources Environmental Credit Trading Program –Recommend that USDA encourage and foster the continued emergence of market opportunities for trading and reducing GHG emissions.

AG BURNING Four recommendations to Secretary –Give immediate “Interim” status to 1999 Ag policy –Add language to exceptional events rule that EPA will address ag burning within 12 months of the Exceptional Events Rule –Convene meeting to begin language development on rule by 9/30/06 –Blue Ribbon Panel to work on rule. Complete by 9/2007