Mississippi River Basin states should be given a chance to address nutrient pollution first, before the federal government steps in, a federal court ruled late last week.
“This decision is a clear victory for agriculture and farmers specifically but our work is far from over,” said Brent Hostetler, Chairman of National Corn Growers Association’s Stewardship Action Team. “Although the court ruled in our favor, the ball is back in our court and we must continue to pursue productivity while ramping up resource conservation.”
Gulf Restoration Network (GRN), lead plaintiff in the lawsuit, and other environmental groups released a report last month faulting Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for failing to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus pollution in the 1.1 million-square-mile Mississippi River Basin. GRN wanted EPA to use its authority under the Clean Water Act to force states to adopt numeric water quality criteria for rivers, streams and lakes.
U.S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey countered that the Clean Water Act enacted by Congress takes a state driven approach to water pollution and that this comprehensive strategy should be given a chance to work without the use of federal rulemaking.
NCGA, American Farm Bureau Federation, The Fertilizer Institute, Ag Retailers Association and livestock organizations intervened in the case and have worked cooperatively on the nutrient issue to assure the state-led leadership role of the Clean Water Act remains intact.
“Awareness of the need to manage soil and water resources to the best of our ability is at an all-time high in farming and that is translating into positive changes. The combination of new technology and new management strategies is paying off,” Hostetler said. “Maintaining this momentum is critical because critics in the environmental community aren’t going away. Organizationally, this is a high priority and it is reflected in our current and emerging programming.”
NCGA is currently working with affiliated states to promote voluntary nutrient management programs that are designed to fit the unique attributes and needs of each state. Simultaneously, NCGA is a key partner in the Soil Health Partnership (SHP). Soil health initiatives are underway in several states in the Mississippi River Basin which will expand best management practices in water quality and water conservation.
COVID-19 Resources
NCGA is taking a series of actions to do our part to help contain the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and the economic fallout it is creating for corn farmers and our customers. Short term, this means instituting policies to protect the health and safety of our stakeholders and the broader communities we serve. Long term, we’re focused on creating solutions to help corn farmers and our customers recover from the financial impacts of this crisis.
CommonGround
CommonGround is a group of farmers connecting with consumers through conversations about science and research and personal stories about food and misinformation surrounding farming. Supported by the NCGA and state corn organizations.
SHP
The Soil Health Partnership (SHP) is a farmer-led initiative that fosters transformation in agriculture through improved soil health. Administered by NCGA the partnership has more than 220 working farms enrolled in 16 states. SHP’s mission is to utilize science and data to partner with farmers who are adopting conservation agricultural practices that improve the economic and environmental sustainability of the farm.
