--As Prepared for Delivery--
"Thank you M__ Speaker.
"H.R. 935, The Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act, will relieve farmers, foresters and other pesticide applicators from a potentially costly regulatory burden that would do little, if anything, to protect the environment.
"The legislation simply makes clear Congressional intent by amending both the Clean Water Act and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, or FIFRA, to prohibit permits for pesticide application when pesticides are applied consistent with FIFRA.
"This legislation is necessary following a 2006 decision by the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals that overturned an EPA rule which specifically exempted permitting of certain pesticide applications under the Clean Water Act. The court's decision pre-empts FIFRA by the Clean Water Act for the first time in the history of either statute.
"Clean Water Act permitting requirements places a significant burden and responsibility on the states and the EPA. These National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permits do not reduce the amount of pesticides being used or bring about additional water monitoring.
"I know many of my colleagues share my concern about the regulations coming from the EPA. Frankly, the last thing we need is the EPA, or lawyers and judges who don't understand agriculture, telling farmers how to farm, or to add another meaningless paperwork exercise to their work load.
"The courts are not the place to make agriculture policy and this legislation takes a step to address this.
"Additionally, this bill is identical to legislation passed by the House last Congress with broad bipartisan support. I urge my colleagues to show that same support today.
"Thank you, M__ Speaker. I yield back."
7.31.2014