Nebraska Senator Mike Johanns has introduced legislation that would ban the Environmental Protection Agency from conducting aerial surveillance for one year. The measure is similar to a bill introduced by Nebraska Representative Adrian Smith in the U.S. House. It comes after the EPA failed to fully respond to requests for a clear, complete account of the size and scope of its surveillance program – something the entire Nebraska delegation asked EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson for. In a speech on the Senate floor – Johanns said farmers and ranchers do not trust the EPA. Until the agency takes a more common sense, transparent, open approach – he said we need to step on the brakes.
Senator Johanns says his legislation does not affect EPA’s ability to use traditional on-site inspections – but places a one-year moratorium on EPA from using aerial surveillance. He says that will give the agency time to come clean about its activities nationwide and make the case that the flights are an appropriate use of agency authority and taxpayer money.
Johanns attempted to address EPA’s aerial surveillance in an amendment to the Senate farm bill. The amendment received 56 bipartisan votes – just shy of the 60 required for passage.
Source: NAFB News Service