TOPEKA, Kan. — Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt met with Flint Hills ranchers Tuesday (6/12) afternoon on the DeDonder family farm near Reading. A roundtable discussion, chaired by Kansas Agriculture Secretary Jackie McClaskey, allowed KLA and Kansas Farm Bureau members to emphasize the importance of prescribed burning on grazing lands. The group stressed urban centers impacted by occasional drifting smoke should not be penalized for being out of compliance with Clean Air Act standards for ozone and particulate matter.
Pruitt suggested EPA will provide clarity on this regulatory issue by writing new guidance documents and possibly redefining “exceptional events” in an effort to ensure ranchers will not be regulated when using prescribed burning.
“The greatest asset you have is your land and we need to recognize it,” said Pruitt.
EPA’s top official also told ranchers the agency will introduce a new waters of the U.S. rule later this week. Pruitt said EPA will let agriculture know through this rule what is not considered a water of the U.S.
— Kansas Livestock Association
For more news from Kansas, click here.