OMAHA, Neb. — The U.S.. Environmental Protection Agency is defending its practice of taking photos of livestock feedlots from an airplane, calling the aerial photography a legal and cost-effective way to help protect Nebraska and Iowa streams from runoff pollution. The Omaha World-Herald reports the practice prompted a letter of concern from Nebraska’s Congressional delegation to EPA administrator Lisa Jackson. Nebraska’s two senators and three representatives signed the letter at the urging of livestock producers who call the flyovers an invasion of privacy and government intimidation. Iowa feedlot owners have also expressed their unhappiness with the flights. The newspaper reports officials from the Kansas City regional office sent a written reply to the delegation.
They said the Supreme Court has found similar types of flights to be legal. They said the flights protect people and the environment from violations of the Clean Water Act. They said the EPA has been overflying Nebraska and Iowa because of the number of big concentrated feedlots that have had a history of contaminating waterways.
Tuesday, June 19, 4 p.m.
