17 th Annual LRGV WQ Management & Planning Confernece South Padre Island, TX May 19, 2015

Transcription

1 17 th Annual LRGV WQ Management & Planning Confernece South Padre Island, TX May 19, 2015

2 Agriculture EPA Region 6 Water Quality Point Source (permitted) AFOs/CAFOs Pesticides Non-Point Source (not permitted) 319 Funds 303d listed waters

3 EPA is dedicated to Agriculture PESTICIDE PROGRAM Primary enforcement responsibility of pesticide misuse under FIFRA (Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, & Rodenticide Act) is delegated to the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA). EPA and TDA register pesticides under FIFRA. Tolerance under FFDCA (Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act).

4 EPA is dedicated to Agriculture PESTICIDE PROGRAM Import of Pesticide into Region 6 is coordinated through the EPA Region 6 Pesticide Section. All Pesticide establishments must be registered with EPA.

5 6 th Circuit Court NPDES PGP NPDES PGP is now in effect EPA Region 6 has delegated authority for New Mexico.

6 Mosquito and Other Flying Insect Pest Control

7 Aquatic Nuisance Animal Control, Aquatic Weed and Algae Control

8 Forest Canopy Pest Control

9 EPA is dedicated to Agriculture WQ 319 NON-POINT SOURCE PROGRAM Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Texas State Soil & Water Conservation Board Several Section 319 Nonpoint Source Success Stories:

10 Agriculture - EPA Region 6 Water Quality

11 Rule is a coordinated effort between EPA and the Corps of Engineers Draft Rule was sent to the Office of Management and Budget April 3, 2015 for interagency review. Rule boils down to three facts: 1. People depend on clean water. 2. Economy depends on clean water. 3. Our cherished way of life depends on clean water.

12 KEY POINTS AND CHANGES BEING CONSIDERED Better defining how protected waters are significant. Defining tributaries more clearly.

13 KEY POINTS AND CHANGES BEING CONSIDERED Providing certainty in how far safeguards extend to nearby waters. Being specific in the protection of the nation s regional water treasures.

14 KEY POINTS AND CHANGES BEING CONSIDERED Focusing on tributaries, not ditches. Maintaining the status of waters within Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems.

15 KEY POINTS AND CHANGES BEING CONSIDERED Preserving Clean Water Act exclusions and exemptions for agriculture.

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17 Irrigation Return Flow (Generally Exempt by Statute)

18 Agricultural Stormwater (Generally Exempt by Statute)

19 Exemptions for Agriculture Normal farming, silviculture, and ranching practices. Upland soil & water conservation practices. Construction/maintenance of farm or stock ponds or irrigation ditches on dry land. Maintenance of drainage ditches. Construction or maintenance of farm, forest, and temporary mining roads. Artificially irrigated areas that would revert to upland if irrigation stops.

20 Exemptions for Agriculture Artificial lakes or ponds created by excavating and/or diking dry land and used for purposes such purposes as rice growing, stock watering or irrigation. Artificial ornamental waters created for primarily aesthetic reasons. Water-filled depressions created as a result of construction activity. Pits excavated in upland for fill, sand, or gravel. Prior converted cropland. Waste treatment systems (including treatment ponds and lagoons).

21 Leads the nation in cattle, cotton, hay, sheep, and mohair production. Leads the nation in number of farms and ranches, with 248,800 farms and ranches covering million acres. Rural lands, including privately owned forest, total 142 million acres, 84% of the state s total land area.

22 12% of Texas population resides in rural areas. 1 of every 7 working Texan (14%) is in an agriculture-related job. 98.6% of Texas farms and ranches are family farms, partnerships or family-held corporations.

23 $ $ $ Food and Fiber sector totals more than $100 billion annually (2nd largest in Texas). Cash receipts, including timber, average $20 billion annually. Top 5 commodities in terms of cash receipts: Cattle: $10.5 billion Cotton: $2.2 billion Milk: $1.8 billion Broilers: $1.7 billion Greenhouse/nursery: $1.3 billion

24 $ $ $ Totaled $6.5 billion in Texas ranks #6 overall in value of agriculture export. Top 6 commodities exports: (rank) (1) (1) (1) (2) (4) (4) Cotton & Cottonseed: $1.6 billion Beef: $855 million Hinds & Skins: $431 million Seeds for planting: $244 million Tree Nuts: $66 million Rice: $119 million

25 QUESTIONS? & DISCUSSION