The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued new regulations calling for farmers and other facilities to have an oil spill prevention plan, called an Oil Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plan.

The American Soybean Association (ASA) Regulatory Task Force met by conference call last month. Among other topics, the group reviewed the new program designed to help farmers prevent oil spills that can damage water resources needed for farming operations.

"These new fuel storage and containment regulations require on-farm fuel storage of greater than 1,350 gallons in above-ground containers to come under new regulation," said ASA Vice-President Ray Gaesser, a farmer from Corning, Iowa who Chairs ASA’s Regulatory Task Force. "With almost all commercial-size growers affected by the rules, the group discussed ways to educate ASA members about the new regulations."

To assist ASA members with compliance, a copy of the EPA document "Oil Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) Program: Information for Farmers," can be downloaded here.