I am concerned with the amount of resources being dedicated to addressing new regulations related to Fukushima, that there is a possibility that the NRC will fail to address potential safety issues that exist at our plants today.

I take it from your testimony that it is the Administration's position that nutrient trading is a tool that is available, that can be used under the Clean Water Act?

We have a responsibility to find the most efficient ways to accomplish our objectives.

We have been working on cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay in a formal way with cooperation among the various States, including the Federal Government, for now over 30 years.

We need to deal with all of those issues.

Let me just mention one other concern that has been brought to my attention from the agricultural community, and the reason why they believe that Federal action may be necessary for an interstate nutrient trading program.

The Federal Government does have a responsibility to give the predictability that you all are talking about.

This has been an extremely helpful panel in understanding the technical and the practical problems.

And there are many States moving forward with various types of trading programs that you have mentioned.

I would suggest that it is not really EPA's role to get into that level of detail.

We need a national discussion.

There is not enough in the District, you are going to need to have multiple jurisdictions that you have to deal with, which requires, I think, some degree of Federal role.

Thank you very much for your testimony. We appreciate it very much.

What is the role for the Federal Government in the strategy for a multi-jurisdictional body of water, such as Chesapeake Bay?

They want to make sure that this is not just a way of asking the agriculture sector to do more than their fair share in cleaning up Chesapeake Bay watershed.

I particularly want to thank Senator Boozman, the ranking Republican member of the Subcommittee, for his help in putting together today's hearing.

We have seen an alarming increase in the number of dead zones caused by too much of the nitrogen and phosphorus pollutants going into our waters.

Nutrient pollution is well documented, its harm on our waters and our environment.

But those who believe that we are going to get that type of reduction in the future, we are not.

If farmers do more than is required, then they could have credits that could be sold in a nutrient trading program.

at some point the public rebels and all of a sudden does not support any longer which is otherwise such a positive step

Our prayers and thoughts are with the people of Oklahoma.

Let me ask one final question.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins, for your testimony. You are the person who can make a wastewater treatment plant sound very exciting.

I know there is concern by the individual States that without some direct guidance from the Federal Government that is a challenge to try to organize an interstate trading program.