Simpson Opposes EPA Efforts to Regulate Dust
Congressman Mike Simpson is urging the Environmental Protection Agency to refrain from increasing the regulatory burden on rural and agricultural communities.  Simpson recently joined colleagues in sending a letter to EPA Administrator Jackson expressing concern about efforts to increase regulation of dust, which would have an enormous impact on farms and other resource-based industries in the West.

The EPA recently published its latest proposal for regulating particulate matter under the National Ambient Air Quality Standards, including dust that is kicked up by livestock or results from corn being combined.  The new proposed standard would be approximately twice as stringent as the current standard and would result in the designation of many more rural areas as non-attainment areas.

“I am frustrated that folks at the EPA continue to feel as though they need to regulate something simply because they can measure it,” said Simpson.  “Rural western communities are already struggling to meet the existing air quality standards, and now the EPA wants to implement a standard that is twice as stringent, even though the science supports the current standard.  As usual, the EPA has failed to recognize the real-world impacts of their regulations.”

Together with many of his western colleagues, Simpson expressed deep concern about the impact of the proposed standards on communities in the arid west, where dust is naturally-occurring event.  The letter reads, “Considering the Administration’s claim that it is focusing on revitalizing rural America and rural economic development, a proposal such as this would have a significant negative impact on those very goals…We are hopeful that common sense will prevail and the EPA will refrain from causing extreme hardship to farmers, livestock producers, and other resource-based industries throughout rural America.”

Simpson is the Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and the Environment, which oversees funding for the EPA.

In the News

Simpson wants comments on ending wolves’ federal protection
By Brad Iverson-Long, IdahoReporter.com, October 5th, 2010

Rep. Mike Simpson said there's no scientific reason to keep wolves federally listed

Idaho Rep. Mike Simpson is asking for comments to a plan from Montana Rep. Denny Rehberg that would exclude wolves in both states from the endangered species list, which currently protects the animals.

Simpson posted a draft of Rehberg’s plan on his official website, and wants input from Idahoans. Simpson said in a news release that there’s no scientific reason why wolves should be on the endangered species list.

A federal judge ruled in August that the administrative decision separating Idaho and Montana’s wolf populations from Wyoming’s wolves was illegal. That decision ended state management of wolves in Idaho and Montana, which included sanctioned wolf hunts.
Rehberg’s plan to change the Endangered Species Act of 1973 is similar to legislation backed by Idaho Sens. Jim Risch and Mike Crapo, though their plan also removes federal protection for wolves in parts of Utah, Oregon, and Washington. The section of the act Rehberg wants to amend currently doesn’t have any similar exclusions for animals in other states.

Read Simpson’s news release below.

Simpson Seeks Idaho Input on Wolf Management
Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson is seeking input from Idahoans on a long-term solution for the management of wolves in Idaho. Simpson has posted draft legislation on his website that would remove the Rocky Mountain Wolf from the endangered species list in Idaho and Montana, returning management authority to the states.

In August, a U.S. district judge in Montana overturned the Fish and Wildlife Service decision supported by both the Obama Administration and the Bush Administration to remove gray wolves from the endangered species list in Idaho and Montana. As a result, Idaho cannot manage wolves under the management plan approved by the Fish and Wildlife Service, including implementing a controlled wolf hunt for 2010.

“Idaho hunters, ranchers, and land users are the ones most directly impacted by Judge Molloy’s decision to put wolves back on the endangered species list,” said Simpson, “and I am confident that Idahoans have the best ideas when it comes to finding a workable, long-term solution to the ongoing problem of wolf management.”

Simpson is asking Idahoans to review a legislative proposal drafted by Congressman Denny Rehberg from Montana and provide comments. Simpson and Rehberg will review the comments from Idahoans and Montanans in order to craft final legislation that can be introduced in the House of Representatives.

“After hearing from literally thousands of people over the past several weeks at listening sessions and through the internet, it’s clear the frustration is well past the boiling point and federal legislation is likely necessary,” said Congressman Rehberg. “It’s time to start working toward a solution that works for western states, not just powerful out-of-state interest groups.”

“There is no scientific reason to keep wolves on the endangered species list when their recovery has clearly exceeded the goals that were laid out at reintroduction,” said Simpson. “We need to find a solution to this issue that can be passed by Congress and will stand up in court, and I strongly believe that the input of Idahoans is critical in this process.”