Region 7

Guiding Principles

• Continual environmental improvement
• Enhanced relationships and partnerships with the agriculture community
• Increased knowledge and understanding of agriculture and the environment
• Improved internal networks and process management

Multimedia

• AUDIO: Farm Futures Radio (Columbia, Mo.) Interview with Regional Administrator Karl Brooks Setting the Record Straight on Feedlot's False Claims of "Hay as a Pollutant," September 2011 (mp3, 3 minutes, 2.81MB) Transcript
• Guest Column by Regional Administrator Karl Brooks, September 2011: EPA Never Said Hay is a Pollutant
• AUDIO: WHO Radio (Des Moines, Iowa) Interview with Regional Administrator Karl Brooks on Agricultural Partnerships with State Agencies in Iowa, August 2011 (mp3, 6 minutes, 1.46MB) Transcript
• AUDIO: WHO Radio (Des Moines, Iowa) Interview with Regional Administrator Karl Brooks on Water Quality Efforts in Iowa and Misconceptions about EPA, August 2011 (mp3, 6 minutes, 1.48MB) Transcript
• AUDIO: KICD Radio (Spencer, Iowa) Interview with Regional Administrator Karl Brooks Dispelling Some Agricultural Myths and Discussing Other Topics, August 2011 (mp3, 5 minutes, 4.79MB) Transcript
• Kansas Farmer article, August 2011: Flint Hills burn plan model for success (PDF) (1 pg, 1.5MB, About PDF)
• Kansas Farmer editorial, August 2011: Portrayal of burning issue in the Flint Hills generates a few sparks (PDF) (1 pg, 241K, About PDF)
• AUDIO: WIBW Radio (Topeka, Kan.) Interview with Regional Administrator Karl Brooks on Flint Hills Prairie Burning, June 2011 (mp3, 16 minutes, 15.2 MB) Transcript (PDF) (5 pp, 93K, About PDF)
• VIDEO: EPA Region 7 Grant to Help Anhydrous Ammonia Facilities Reduce Releases (Flash Player, 4 minutes, 16.5 MB, open captioned) - this video highlights an EPA Region 7 2009 grant to the Missouri Department of Agriculture and Missouri State Emergency Management Agency

Fact Sheets

• Oil Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) Program: Information for Farmers (deadline extended)
• Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) Final Rule Amendment - Exemption for All Milk and Milk Product Containers, Associated Piping and Appurtenances
• Ten Tips to Prepare for EPA CAFOs Inspections
• Air Release Reporting Requirements for Large Animal Feeding Operations
• Ten Tips to Prepare for EPA Risk Management Program Inspections

Speeches by Regional Administrator Karl Brooks

• Remarks at Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City, May 24, 2011 (PDF) (11 pp, 47K, About PDF)

Impacts of Flint Hills Burning on Air Quality Discussed by R7 Administrator with Kansas Farmer Editor

EPA Region 7 Administrator Karl Brooks (right) was interviewed by P.J. Griekspoor, editor of Kansas Farmer, in July 2011 about the air quality impacts of Flint Hills burning and the benefits to the tallgrass prairie ecosystem. Other topics included the work of EPA Region 7, Kansas Department of Health and Environment, environmental groups, extension services, ranchers, and others in developing a Kansas Flint Hills Smoke Management Plan. More than 2.5 million acres were burned during April 2011 in the Flint Hills, slightly more than the 10-year average, and some relatively high ozone values were recorded. EPA will continue to work with Kansans to support an endangered ecosystem while reducing the negative effects of prescribed burning on air quality.

Fifth Annual Ag Week's Activities Enhance Communication Between R7 Staff and Ag Community

As part of Ag Week in May 2011, activities at the Regional Office included panels about conservation practices, outreach to farm broadcasters, and presentations on the science and human health impacts that drive state and federal regulation of particulate matter and air emissions. Cattle producers and others shared information about the Kansas Smoke Management Plan. The weeklong sessions were well attended by EPA Region 7 scientists and technical program staff. Now in its fifth year, Ag Week activities were organized by the Region 7 Agriculture Team to improve information exchange between Region 7 staff and the agricultural community. Activities also improved staff's knowledge of agronomic science and agricultural conservation practices. Pictured (left to right) are panel participants KFEQ Farm Broadcaster Tom Brand, WIBW Farm Broadcaster Kelly Lenz, and EPA Region 7 Senior Advisor Josh Svaty.

Biofuels

Biodiesel Production Facility Compliance Manual: Environmental Laws Applicable to Construction and Operation of Biodiesel Production Facilities (PDF) (144 pp, 6.4MB About PDF)

Ethanol Plant Compliance Manual: Environmental Laws Applicable to Construction and Operation of Ethanol Plants (PDF) (104 pp, 3.2MB About PDF)