Echoing the industry speakers, Underwood said that there is plenty of room for preserving water quality without bankrupting farmers and foresters.
Good decisions flow from good data.
The industry groups have been critical of the quantity and quality of data EPA has used in its decision making process. This Clarksburg gathering was the final meeting in series of four. An additional 350 people participated in meetings held in Lewisburg, Parkersburg and Romney during the week of May 15th. Lawsuits by environmental activists have resulted in EPA requiring accelerated development of TMDLs by the states. We simply want EPA to slow down and apply adequate science to the development of TMDLs before they start mandating costly measures on farmers and foresters.