Political Quotes

“It is imperative that we act in a timely manner on H.R. 872 to ensure that our small businesses, farmers, communities, counties, and State and Federal agencies will not be burdened with a costly, duplicative permit requirement that offers no environmental or health benefits. It is important to note that pesticides play an important role in protecting our Nation's food supply, public health, natural resources, infrastructure, and green spaces. They are used not only to protect crops from destructive pests, but also to manage mosquitoes and other disease-carrying pests, invasive weeds, and animals that can choke our waterways, impede our power generation, and damage our forests and recreational areas. The Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act of 2011 amends FIFRA and the Clean Water Act to eliminate the requirement of a permit for applications of pesticides approved for use under FIFRA. This Act is being passed in response to National Cotton Council v. EPA, which found NPDES permits are required for point source discharges of biological pesticides and chemical pesticides that leave a residue. This legislation, Mr. Speaker, is not intended to exempt waste- streams or discharges from regulation simply because they may contain pesticides or pesticide residues. This legislation, Mr. Speaker, makes clear that the NPDES exemption only addresses discharges of pesticide or pesticide residue resulting from applications consistent with FIFRA.…”