February 19, 2009
EPA Adviser Wants To Improve Links With AG
Matthew Weaver, Capital Press
Full-time position created to foster more cooperation
Karma Anderson hopes to build the relationship between the Environmental Protection Agency and agriculture producers.
"Even in my education when I started out in agronomy, I saw there at times can be misunderstandings between agriculture producers and environmentalists," she said. "The way I see it, there really is a lot more common ground."
Anderson has joined the EPA's Seattle office on Jan. 12 as regional agriculture adviser. For the first time, the position is full-time, said Sandy Halstead, an agriculture specialist based in Prosser, Wash.
"It was a priority for the region when they started looking at new positions," Halstead said. "They decided we really needed to have a better relationship and understanding of ag."
Anderson's duties include leading the agency's agriculture team on environmental issues and developing a strategy for Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska.
She hopes to improve the relationship between the agency and producers, reaching out so producers better understand environmental regulations and agency staff better understand agriculture.
"I think it speaks great to the fact EPA wanted to put some emphasis on working with agriculture, not against agriculture," Halstead said.
"We've historically been really good at the science and regulation side of it, working through what we need to do in order to help people comply with the law," said Mark MacIntyre, an EPA spokesman. "What's been exciting for us is to see this new wave of people coming into EPA. With the addition of Karma and Sandy, we have people who have real depth of understanding the producer's world and what it takes to deliver their product at the right price and the right time."
Having such expertise coupled with the science is a winning combination, MacIntyre said, and will serve the agency well for years to come.
"I think we're looking at a decade or more of improved relationships and better understanding on the part of producers (and) what they need to do to comply," he said.
Halstead and Anderson said the agency's priorities in the region include new finalized rules for concentrated animal feeding operations and water and air quality.
"I do see producers, farmers and ranchers as stewards of the land," Anderson said. "I think that's one of their primary roles, and I think they see it that way. I'd like to build on that."
To reach Karma Anderson, call 206-553-1647 or e-mail Anderson.Karma@epa.gov.
To reach Sandy Halstead, call 509-786-9225 or e-mail Halstead.sandra@epa.gov.
