Loggers Get A Break From Runoff Rule

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has said that it would exempt the timber industry from meeting new regulations aimed at reducing water pollution on private lands. The proposed runoff rule would require landowners to obtain discharge permits if the EPA found they were contributing to nearby water quality problems. Landowners would also need permits if their state failed to win approval from EPA for a plan to improve water quality. The timber industry, including loggers, tree farmers and other forest product groups, lobbied hard against the new rule, saying it would force small forestry owners out of business. In public meetings and some 30,000 postcards sent to EPA, the industry argued that the rule would require EPA permits for planting or cutting down any trees on private lands. Charles Fox, assistant EPA administrator for water, said the EPA will propose a new rule this fall to cover just forestry practices. The original rule is expected to be finalized in about a month. It would affect farmers and other private landowners. Under the rule proposed last August, states must submit plans to clean up every waterway that fails to meet federal standards for fishing, drinking and swimming. EPA estimates that more than 20,000 streams and lakes do not meet water quality standards. That accounts for about 40 percent of all lakes, rivers and streams in the U.S. Under their draft plans, states must address the amount of pollution they will allow from indirect sources like runoff from private lands.