The Bush Administration’s stamp of approval on a load of manure

NRDC: Press Release - Halloween Trick from Bush Administration: Treat to Factory Farms

The new rule:

 

• 
  
  Creates a loophole allowing facility operators to avoid permits by claiming they won’t have a discharge.
  
  
• 
  
  Adopts
  a scheme that allows facilities to avoid certain environmental
  enforcement. For instance, if an operator certifies that the facility
  won’t have a discharge, environmental authorities will ignore
  enforcement action, even if the facility discharges to the nation’s
  waters. 
  
  
• 
  
  Rejects
  improvements in technology that would reduce harmful bacteria and other
  pathogens contained in animal waste, missing an opportunity to prevent
  water pollution and threats to public health.