House approves bill exempting pesticide spraying from CWA

The House has passed a bill that would exempt pesticide applicators from having to obtain Clean Water Act (CWA) permits when spraying near waterbodies, legislation that has been long-sought by the farm sector which says it is needed to prevent unnecessary duplication of EPA oversight though environmentalists say it should be retained to protect water quality. The House voted 256-165 May 24 to approve H.R. 953, with 25 Democrats voting with Republicans to approve the measure. One Republican, Rep. Brian...