EPA Moving on Stricter Pollution Controls

July 11, 2000

Despite Congress calling for a delay, the Clinton administration is considering imposing new pollution controls aimed at cleaning up lakes and streams, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation.

The regulation, close to being issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), would create new requirements for farmers, businesses, industrial plants and utilities in areas where water quality does not meet federal standards.

As many as 20,000 lakes and streams -- 40% of the nation's waterways -- would be affected. Critics call it an unprecedented and costly move by the federal government to deal with farm and industrial runoff. They say the cost could go as high as $2 billion a year. EPA Administrator Carol Browner has argued that the new rule will cost less than $100 million annually.