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American-Agri Women opposes change in Clean Water ActAmerican Agri-Women passed a resolution opposing expansion of the jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act as proposed in HR 2421 and SB 1870, The Clean Water Restoration Act of 2007 at their 2007 annual convention in St. Paul, Minn., in mid-November. In HR 2421 and SB 1870 the new definition of "waters of the United States"--which strikes all mention of the word "navigable" and replaces it with a new legislative definition of "waters of the United States" and all "activities affecting these waters,"--is a massive red flag to all property owners and resource providers. If this passes, the federal government will have the authority to control all our water and all activities affecting our water, preempting state and local government authority over land and water use decisions and possibly requiring permits for anything we do, such as pesticide application or even plowing. These bills would also grant the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the first time ever authority over "all activities affecting these waters" (private or public), regardless of whether the activity is occurring in water or whether the activity actually adds a pollutant to the water. AAW members, and all property owners, are urged to call their senators and representatives and tell them how this change in HR 2421 and SB 1870 will impact them. Also at their convention, American Agri-Women members discussed issues with women in agriculture from several provinces in Canada at a "Mini-Summit" panel. Issues included trade, immigration as it applies to farm labor, and the Canadian health care system. Delegates participated in workshops and discussions on other issues such as the Farm Bill, renewable energy, maintaining their farm businesses, and the importance of the 2007 Ag Census. Each year at the convention, AAW's "Veritas Award" is given to a person who has given public witness to the pursuit of truth about agricultural issues. This year's winner was Montana logger Bruce Vincent, who founded Provider Pals, a program for classrooms to adopt a logger, fisherman, miner, farmer or rancher as their very own for a year. The kids get videos, letters, photo albums and e-mail from their provider, and once a year he or she visits the school to talk and answer questions. New officers for the organization are Marcie Williams, Croton, Ohio, president; Chris Wilson, Manhattan, Kan., 1st vice president of vital issues; Arlene Kovash, Monmouth, Ore., vice president of communications; Pat Yeagle, Winslow, Ill., vice president of education; Lynn Figone-Gallagher, Middletown, Calif., secretary; and Carolyn Kleiber, Hillsboro, Kan., treasurer. American Agri-Women is the nation's largest coalition of farm, ranch and agribusiness women, with 53 state, commodity, agribusiness affiliate organizations and collegiate chapters throughout the country. AAW is an all volunteer organization, working to provide reliable information about agriculture to the public since 1974. For more information, contact Marcie Williams, President, president@americanagriwomen.org, or visit hwww.americanagriwomen.org. Date: 12/20/07
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