By Jessica Domel
Multimedia Editor
It’s time to weigh in on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) rules and regulations. EPA is accepting comments on which regulations should be targeted for repeal, replacement or modification through Monday, May 15.
The request for comments is in response to a Presidential Executive Order calling for agencies to “alleviate unnecessary regulatory burdens” on the American people.
The Executive Order, “Enforcing the Regulatory Reform Agenda,” directs federal agencies to create a Regulatory Reform Task Force to evaluate existing regulations.
As part of this effort, EPA has hosted teleconferences, conference calls and other types of meetings to accept comments from the public on its regulations.
During a listening session Tuesday, EPA received more than 6,000 written comments and calls. According to the Associated Press, many of those staunchly opposed the regulatory rollbacks.
Those comments will be added to the larger pool of more than 39,000 comments submitted to the EPA as of Wednesday, May 5.
“The policies of the previous administration greatly increased regulatory burdens and seemed to target production agriculture,” Jay Bragg, associate director of Commodity and Regulatory Activities for Texas Farm Bureau, said. “President Trump has already signed an Executive Order to review and rescind EPA’s expansive Waters of the U.S. Rule. That was a great first step.”
“This request for comments takes things a step further. EPA will now be evaluating all of their regulatory programs to identify ways to streamline processes, reduce or eliminate unnecessary regulatory burdens, and ensure that regulatory costs are not exceeding their environmental or human health benefits. We are looking forward to the opportunity to help make needed changes,” Bragg added.
Farmers, ranchers, dairymen and landowners are encouraged to weigh in on which rules and regulations they feel should be cut, edited or replaced.
Comments on EPA rules and regulations may be made here.