Gina McCarthy, the newly appointed administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, addressed a group of Iowa agriculturists in an effort to strengthen the relationship between the EPA and the industry.
The speech addressed policies on clean water and was favorably received by the Iowa farmers in attendance.
In an article by Jennifer Jacobs in the Des Moines Register, McCarthy was reported to say:
My commitment to you is that at the end of my term, we will have a stronger, more productive, more trusting relationship between EPA and the agriculture community. Why are we going to do that? It benefits me, it benefits you and it will make this country stronger.
While farmers received McCarthy and her speech warmly, environmental activists were less pleased with her. In a separate meeting, several representatives from local and national groups raised concerns about manure spills and other farm related issues stating that they believed McCarthy’s policies are too weak to protect the state’s waterways.This meeting was part of the ongoing debate for the implementation of the Clean Water Act in Iowa as officials balance agricultural regulations and environmental concerns. PD
—Summarized by PD staff from cited source
