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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Vice President


For Immediate Release September 16, 1998
                    STATEMENT OF VICE PRESIDENT GORE
             ON NEW ADMINISTRATION POLICY ON HARMFUL RUNOFF

The joint strategy that the Environmental Protection Agency and the Agriculture Department proposed today to reduce harmful runoff from large animal farms is a sound, coordinated approach to protecting public health, the environment, and America's livestock industry.

This common-sense strategy, part of the comprehensive Clean Water Action Plan that President Clinton and I announced in February, addresses one of the most significant remaining threats to the quality of America's waters: animal waste runoff. Controlling these wastes will help protect drinking water, prevent the contamination of fish and shellfish, and restore our precious lakes, rivers, and coastal waters. It also will help ensure the long-term health of the livestock industry and protect the quality of life in rural America.

Valuable input from the agricultural and environmental communities helped shape this proposal, and the agencies will carefully consider comments from all interested parties as they finalize this important anti-pollution strategy.

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