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Federal setback regulations regarding the spreading of the herbicide atrazine could cause loss of income for local farmers.
Tuesday, Gabe Ayers and Max Deatsman presented the problem to the Kosciusko County commissioners.
Products that contain atrazine can not be mixed or loaded within 50 feet of intermittent streams, rivers, natural impounded lakes or reservoirs; or applied within 66 feet of the point where field runoff enters perennial or intermittent streams or rivers.
The 66-foot setback must be planted with the crop or seeded with another suitable crop if the land is highly erodible.
Atrazine products also cannot be applied within 200 feet of natural or impounded lakes or reservoirs; mixed, loaded or applied within 50 feet of any well; or applied within 66 feet of a tile inlet, if the tile inlet or riser drains into a stream or river within 66 feet.
Ayers said farmers run into situations where ponds have been built close to the farmer's property and the farmer ends up losing tillable acres because of the setbacks.
"The problem is only going to get bigger in the years to come," he said.
Deatsman said because of the Environmental Protection Agency guidelines restricting certain herbicides, he will be losing money because of a pond near where he farms.
Ayers said if the law is going to be pushed, farmers should be compensated for the money they lose because of setbacks. He also said guidelines need looked at nationally and locally.
In other business, the Kosciusko County commissioners:
• Approved the Kosciusko County Convention and Visitors Bureau commission and the board of directors to continue meeting and discussing who should own the CVB building - the county or CVB.
• Received a copy of an ordinance from Kosciusko County Emergency Services Director Ed Rock updating the definition and duties of the director as required by state statute.
• Approved awarding the bids for the highway department signs and posts to Hall Signs. Hall Signs was the lowest bidder, according to Kosciusko County Highway Superintendent and Engineer Rob Ladson. All bids for aggregates were accepted from Phend & Brown, IMI, Hanson and Rock Industries.
• Heard from Ladson that Bridge 6 on Barbee Channel will be rehabilitated. Bids for the project will be opened in March. The commissioners approved the plans for the bridge.
• Received the 2005 tentative tax billing and tax distribution calendar by county auditor Sue Ann Mitchell.
The tentative date for the printing, folding, stuffing and sealing of tax bills by the county treasurer is April 1-22 with the tax bills proposed to be mailed by April 22. Tax bills should be received by May 10, with distribution to taxing units proposed to be June 1-30.
The commissioners are Brad Jackson, northern district; Ron Truex, middle district; and Avis Gunter, southern district. They meet at 9 a.m. every other Tuesday in the county courthouse, Warsaw.
