Statement from DEQ Secretary Michael S. Regan regarding the Senate budget provision delaying the three animal waste permits by one year:
After a lengthy and transparent process involving discussions with numerous stakeholders from all walks of life and a review of more than 6,500 public comments, DEQ revised three permits to provide more certainty to farmers and communities.
The Senate’s budget provision, unlike our permit process or even a proposed bill, lacks transparency and justification.
The changes targeted by this budget provision are not new rules or regulations. They are part of the permit-writing process which is well within DEQ’s authority. As such, the Office of Administrative Hearings is the proper venue to determine whether there are violations of the Administrative Procedures Act, not the political environment of the budget process.
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