News Update
August 27, 2014
EPA Finally Hands Over Maps Detailing the Extent of WOTUS Proposal
The House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology released maps today of waters and wetlands the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has to-date refrained from making public. After multiple requests, the agency finally handed over the maps to the committee, which appear to detail the extent of the “Waters of the United States” proposal.
“Given the astonishing picture they paint, I understand the EPA’s desire to minimize the importance of these maps,” said Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas), Chairman of the House Science Committee, in a letter to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “But EPA’s posturing cannot explain away the alarming content of these documents. While you claim that EPA has not yet used these maps to regulate Americans, you provided no explanation for why the Agency used taxpayer resources to have these materials created.”
Knowledge of the maps came as the committee was doing research in preparation for a hearing regarding the proposed “Waters of the United States” rule. The maps were kept hidden while the agencies marched forward with rulemaking that fundamentally redefines private property rights, said Chairman Smith.
“It is deplorable that EPA, which claims to be providing transparency in rulemakings, would intentionally keep from the American public, a taxpayer-funded visual representation of the reach of their proposed rule,” said Ashley McDonald, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) environmental counsel. “Unfortunately, it is just another blatant contradiction to the claims of transparency this administration insists they maintain.”
These maps are very similar to the maps produced by NCBA and other agricultural groups, which also showcase the EPA’s extensive attempt to control land across the country. These maps show individual states facing upwards of 100,000 additional stream miles that could be regulated under the proposed regulation.
“This is the smoking gun for agriculture,” said McDonald. “These maps show that EPA knew exactly what they were doing and knew exactly how expansive their proposal was before they published it.”
The maps are available on the House Committee website here.
Animal Planet’s Live Labor Event
This Labor Day weekend, Animal Planet unveils its latest crowning achievement with the introduction of its first-ever Labor Live multimedia event. Throughout the holiday weekend, live animal births from the Nebraska State Fair will be broadcast as they happen via the Labor Live Cam on Animal Planet L!VE, the go-to digital destination for round-the-clock access to animals. Animal Planet television viewers will be made aware of every calf, lamb, piglet and chick delivery occurring online with breaking on-air birth alerts. The cam is live now at www.animalplanet.com/laborlive.
With expert commentary from University of Nebraska veterinarians, the Labor Live Cam will broadcast 24/7 from the Pavilion, which is the temporary home to expecting cows, sows, ewes and chickens. Animal Planet L!VE will cover breaking births in addition to offering a schedule of programming including a morning review and lunchtime chats with experts.
“Animal Planet’s presence further exemplifies the Nebraska State Fair’s mission to focus on interactive agriculture and educational experiences. The ability to take the Nebraska State Fair Birthing Pavilion and make it available to a worldwide audience is an opportunity that doesn’t come along too often,” said Nebraska State Fair Sponsorship and Marketing Director Shaun Schleif. “The opportunity to see live births and baby animals taking their first steps in their first few days of life is something that most folks don’t have the opportunity to observe. Animal Planet is making that possible, and we’re extremely grateful for that.”
NDSA to Host Annual All Breeds Cattle Tour in Jamestown, N.D., Area
The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association (NDSA) will host its 28th Annual All Breeds Cattle Tour (ABCT) that will showcase ranches in Jamestown, N.D., and surrounding areas on Friday, Oct. 10, 2014. The tour will feature an impressive line-up of eight area cattle producers representing six breeds of cattle.
The day will begin with registration at the Quality Inn & Suites in Jamestown at 8:30 a.m. The bus will leave the hotel at 9 a.m. and head south for the first stop of the tour, Hatlewick Cattle Co. of Jamestown. At 10:50 a.m. the tour will visit Wilkinson Farms Simmentals of Montpelier, followed by the lunch stop at C-B Charolais of Montpelier at 11:45 a.m. Huber EY Cattle Co. of Jud will also exhibit cattle at this stop.
Next, the tour will visit Dahl Land and Cattle of Gackle at 1:45 p.m. and then head north to Vandeberghe’s Flying V Angus Ranch of Cleveland at 3:20 p.m. Lake Front Ranch Shorthorns of Medina will be at 4:25 p.m. followed by a stop at 7N Simmental Ranch of Medina at 5:40 p.m. The day will conclude with a complimentary supper catered by Reister Meats and Catering of Streeter at 6:45 p.m. Tour participants will have the opportunity to relax and visit before heading back to the Quality Inn & Suites in Jamestown around 9 p.m.
Attendees who visit each stop will have an opportunity to be drawn for a $500 gift certificate to be used toward the purchase of seedstock from a participating breeder on the tour. There is no cost to attend. Preregistration is not required but appreciated to help with meal planning. To preregister, contact the NDSA at 701-223-2522. For hotel reservations, call the Quality Inn & Suites in Jamestown at 701-252-3611 and ask for the All Breeds Cattle Tour block. For more information, visit the NDSA website at www.ndstockmen.org.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
Range and Wildlife Field Day Set for Sept. 19 in Brown County
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will conduct a multi-county Range and Wildlife Management Field Day Sept. 19 in Brown County for landowners interested in managing wildlife and livestock.
The program will run from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at the McGillivray and Leona McKie Muse Wildlife Management Area, 15 miles northeast of Brownwood off County Road 478.
The morning talks will be followed by lunch, then a tour of the wildlife management area.
Individual registration is $15 and includes lunch. RSVP by Sept. 14 by contacting the AgriLife Extension office in Brown County at 325-646-0386.
Three Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units, two integrated pest management and one general, will be available.
Brian Hays, associate director of the Texas A&M Institute of Renewable Natural Resources, Gatesville said, “Landowners interested in managing for wildlife can take advantage of various incentive programs to diversify their income through good land stewardship for livestock and wildlife.”
Scott Anderson, AgriLife Extension agent in Brown County, said AgriLife Extension staff will discuss quail and turkey biology and management. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department personnel will talk on Texas horned lizards, wildlife management planning and the Proposition 11 wildlife property tax exemption.
Other scheduled talks to be presented by USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) experts will focus on rangeland evaluation and proper brush control techniques to include dozing, prescribed fire and herbicide application.
Other field tour stops will include demonstrations on calculating stocking rates, plant identification, habitat assessment and a preview of a prairie restoration effort now underway on the wildlife management area.
For more information, contact Anderson at 325-646-0386.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
CORRECTED: Business After Hours Sept. 4
at Panhandle Research and Extension Center
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) Panhandle Research & Extension (R&E) Center will host a Business after Hours event from 4:30-6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 4, at 4502 Avenue I, Scottsbluff.
This event is an opportunity to celebrate several milestones. The nation’s Cooperative Extension system is celebrating its centennial in 2014, marking 100 years since passage of the Smith-Lever Act, which established Cooperative Extension through land-grant universities in partnership with federal, state and local governments. The Panhandle Center is the administrative headquarters of the Panhandle Extension District, which covers 16 counties in western and north-central Nebraska and includes 12 county-based Extension offices.
The public also will be able to meet Jack Whittier, the new Director of Research and Extension for the Panhandle, who began June 1.
The event also is an opportunity for the public to tour the newly renovated facilities and technology enhancements to the meeting rooms at the Panhandle R&E Center. New technology and connectivity to Lincoln will be demonstrated.
Food and beverages will be served in the meeting room foyer, catered by the Liquor Cabinet. Panhandle Center employees will be available throughout the event to meet and greet the public.
Tours will be conducted beginning at 4:45 p.m. Whittier will speak at 5:15 p.m., followed by a live remote connection with Charles Hibberd, dean and director of UNL Extension and former director of the Panhandle Center, from Lincoln. This presentation will demonstrate technology that UNL Extension is using for meetings and workshops.
An ice cream social begins at 5:45 p.m., and afterward, a walking tour will be repeated for anyone who is interested.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
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