From Farm Week Now
by By Deana Stroisch
A coalition of 24 Illinois organizations – from farmers to miners to homebuilders — has joined efforts to oppose proposed changes to federal rules governing “waters of the U.S.”
“Under the proposed rule, nearly every drop of water that falls on our state will be under the control of the federal government,” said Lauren Lurkins, IFB’s director of natural and environmental resources. “Farmers and other individual landowners would have to apply for and wait for federal permits, both from the Army Corps and from U.S. EPA, to do things that are considered common farming practices. We’re talking things like building fences, and spraying pesticides for bugs and for weeds.”
Without the proper permits, Lurkins said people face the threat of lawsuits – from the federal government and other citizens — and penalties of up to $37,500 a day per discharge.
Groups said the proposed rule would also add cost and delays to projects.
Opponents say that the proposed rule expands federal jurisdiction, while EPA maintains that the rule merely clarifies which wetlands and streams are considered “waters of the U.S.”
Jerry Peck, Illinois Manufacturers Association, called the proposed rule a “jobs killer” and said the extra costs, regulations and time delays could result in companies looking outside of the United States.
Phil Gonet, president of the Illinois Coal Association, said the proposed rule “would put this entire industry at risk.”
He said the proposed rule would increase the cost of starting – or expanding – a mining operation with “effectively no corresponding environmental benefit.”
“Given the ever increasing cost of mitigation, not to mention the time, cost and litigation burdens associated with trying to obtain any federal Clean Water Act permit, doing business in Illinois will be cost prohibitive for any mining companies looking to invest here,” Gonet said.
The coalition includes:
Illinois Farm Bureau; Illinois Chamber of Commerce; Illinois Coal Association; Home Builders Association of Illinois; Illinois Manufacturers’ Association; Illinois Pork Producers Association; Chemical Industry Council of Illinois; Illinois Association of Aggregate Producers; Illinois Beef Association; Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts; Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association; GROWMARK Inc.; Illinois Association of Drainage Districts; Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives; National Federation of Independent Business/Illinois; Associated Builders & Contractors Inc., Illinois; Illinois Association of County Board Members and Commissioners/Illinois Association of Regional Councils; Illinois Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers; Illinois Association of REALTORS; Illinois Environmental Regulatory Group; Illinois Milk Producers Association; Grain & Feed Association of Illinois; Illinois Petroleum Council; and Illinois Corn Growers Association.
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