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PHOTOS: Pruitt Continues State Action Tour in Indiana

08/02/2017
Contact Information: 
EPA Press Office (press@epa.gov)

PHOTOS

Admin. Pruitt sits at a large wooden conference table across from Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb. They are joined by six other people at the table including Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch and other state officials.EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt meets with Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb, Indiana Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch, and other state officials.Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb (left) and EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt with Mike Starkey (right) and Jeff Starkey (second from left). Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb (left) and EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt with Mike Starkey (right) and Jeff Starkey (second from left).  EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt shakes hands outside with a handful of employees at Liberty Mine. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt greets employees at Liberty Mine.  EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, in hard hat is shown mining site at Liberty Mine by four people. All wearing yellow safety vests and hard hats.EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt is shown mining site at Liberty Mine.

INDIANAPOLIS — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt continued his state action tour in Indiana today, his sixth state in three weeks.

“The agriculture industry should not be burdened with unnecessary government overreach,” said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. “By beginning the process to redefine WOTUS, we are prioritizing clean water across the country, while also respecting states’ traditional regulatory role over their own waters and providing much-needed certainty to farmers and landowners.”

While in the Hoosier state, Administrator Pruitt met with Governor Eric Holcomb, Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch, and other state officials to discuss EPA’s recent decision to begin the process of redefining the definition of a “Water of the United States” (WOTUS) . EPA is reassessing the proper scope of federal jurisdiction so as to provide stakeholders with regulatory certainty. Following their meeting, Administrator Pruitt and Governor Holcomb hosted a roundtable discussion on WOTUS at Mike Starkey Farms in Boonville, Ind.

“It’s an honor to welcome Administrator Pruitt to Indiana once again and to connect him with members of our agriculture community,” Governor Eric Holcomb said. “They have experienced firsthand the ways that unduly burdensome federal regulations can hinder farmers’ financial security and growth. I am encouraged by and greatly appreciate this federal administration’s willingness to listen and partner with the states to find solutions.”

“As Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development, I am extraordinarily proud of Indiana agriculture’s history as a leader in conservation," said Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch. “The Indiana agricultural community looks forward to participating in the re-creation of this important initiative under the leadership of Administrator Pruitt and his team.”

After touring Mike Starkey Farms, Administrator Pruitt visited Liberty Mine in Boonville, Ind. to discuss methods to improve environmental conditions, while also safeguarding critical coal mining jobs.