WASHINGTON – Seven Republican members of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee sent a letter July 22 to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson expressing their opposition to the 6th Circuit's ruling subjecting certain pesticide applications to the Clean Water Act's permitting requirements and advising EPA to stick to the specific issues addressed in the case.

"As you review the comments submitted for the record, we request that you ensure the [Pesticide General Permit] address only the specific issues addressed in National Cotton Council, et al. v. EPA and not attempt to cover any additional activities," the senators, led by ranking EPW member James Inhofe (R-Okla.), write.

The senators note twice that production of agricultural crops is not subject to permitting requirements under the Clean Water Act (CWA). While they are pleased the proposed Pesticide General Permit does not cover pesticide applications to agricultural crops, they are concerned that EPA is seeking comment "on what permit conditions would be appropriate if agricultural pesticide use were covered."

Please visit Agra-Net to read the rest of this article.