Oklahoma Farm Bureau members are invited to submit their concerns about the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed herbicide strategy before the Oct. 22 comment period deadline.
EPA released the Draft Herbicide Strategy Framework in July in response to extensive litigation from environmental groups about EPA’s noncompliance with the Endangered Species Act. The proposed framework is EPA’s attempt to protect some 900 endangered species and their habitats through significant use restrictions and mitigations on most agricultural herbicide uses.
Growers located in pesticide use limitation areas – or PULAs – which include many parts of Oklahoma, could be subject to even greater restrictions. Many of the proposed restrictions will be unworkable, forcing growers to adopt outdated cropping practices that are costly, burdensome and irrelevant to modern agriculture.
The agency extended the original 60-day public comment period on the proposed framework an additional 30 days, and OKFB members are encouraged to make the voice of farmers and ranchers heard through submitting a comment urging the EPA to withdraw the proposal.
Submit a public comment
Below is sample text that may be used when submitting a comment. OKFB members may submit the text as is or customize, add to or completely re-write the text as they see fit.
I am concerned about EPA’s Draft Herbicide Strategy which will limit the use of herbicides in my state. I urge EPA to withdraw the proposal and work with agricultural producers and organizations for reasonable solutions to address threatened and endangered species concerns.
Members have two options to submit their comments:
- Submit the comment directly at regulations.gov
- Fill out the form below to have OKFB send the comment on the member’s behalf
The deadline to submit comments directly is Sunday, Oct. 22. Entries through the form below must be submitted by midnight on Friday, Oct. 20 to allow OKFB appropriate time to send the comments before the deadline.
For more information or clarification, contact Marla Peek, OKFB senior director of regulatory affairs, at (405) 523-2300.
To get the form click here and scroll down:
