RE: Activists and the public

[Nadine L. Scott <deannie@nctimes.net>]

One of the largest groups, who you wouldn't typically list as Env. Justice, is your producer group.  They supply the safe, affordable food and fiber.  Frankly, many don't feel they are listened to by EPA, rather they feel scrutinized and over-regulated in a highly impersonal manner.  This isn't to say that California has had such a rough experience. We had an EPA AG liaiaon that very much contributed to greater understanding and postive thinking in how EPA and they could work together.  The major problem is that EPA wants private lands owners to disclose their problems, subjecting them to third party lawsuits.  If you really want folks to participate, you should work together with the USDA NRCS to maintain customer confidentiality, so long as the landowner is actively working on a conservation plan that improves land and water quality without affecting their ability to earn a living.