Free Republic

FRESNO, Calif. (AP) - Pollutants carried in runoff from farms affect the water supply of more than 20 million Californians and taint prime fishing grounds across the state, according to a recent report. The pollution is the byproduct of pesticide use, but it doesn't have to be, said Gary Wolff, chief economist at the Oakland-based Pacific Institute, an environmental research group. Wolff, who wrote the institute's "Investing in Clean Agriculture" report, said educating farmers is key to cleaning the state's water. But he acknowledges that education doesn't come cheap, so Wolff's study suggests raising taxes on pesticides to pay for...

WASHINGTON - Managers of the nation's 155 national forests will have more leeway to approve logging and other commercial projects with less formal environmental review under a new Bush administration plan, The Associated Press has learned. The long-awaited plan will overhaul application of the landmark 1976 National Forest Management Act, which sets the basic rules for management of nation's 191 million acres of forests and grasslands and protects forest wildlife. Forest Service officials scheduled a Wednesday conference call to announce the changes, which will be published in the Federal Register next week. The Associated Press obtained highlights of the plan,...