The petitions, filed separately by CropLife America and the American Farm Bureau Federation in collaboration with other agricultural groups including the NCC, both argued that EPA's interpretation of the CWA deserved deference and questioned whether Congress intended to include pesticides in the scope of the NPDES permitting program. This denial by the Supreme Court ends any further legal recourse for agricultural interests who believe that the Sixth Circuit decision sets a dangerous precedent that could subject additional farming activities to permit requirements.

NCC Chairman Eddie Smith stated, "The Supreme Court's failure to review the NCC v. EPA case creates an uncertain regulatory future for the application of agricultural crop inputs. Farmers face potential new regulations that could force many to obtain even more permits before they apply agricultural inputs. A burdensome new permit requirement will increase costs both to farmers and many states that will carry much of this regulatory load."

Senate Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry Committee Chairman Lincoln (D-AR) and 36 other lawmakers had urged the high court to review the case in a Dec. 4 amici curiae brief. The lawmakers argued the Sixth Circuit had “substituted a deeply flawed reading of the [CWA].”

The Supreme Court denial is being billed as a big win for environmentalists who claim that the industry fears are exaggerating the ruling’s scope. Yet, some activists already are saying the ruling may aid efforts by EPA and environmentalists to regulate releases from thousands of sources that generally are exempted from water permit requirements such as post-construction stormwater runoff, concentrated animal feeding operations, emissions from power plants and fertilizer applications.

Comments by Sen. Inhofe (R-OK), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, may signal the possibility of a legislative solution.

As part of the UV inhibitor action, the JCIBPC included a statement reiterating NCC policy that packaging materials are approved with conventional bale storage in mind. It was stated that the action was not an endorsement of outside storage but an acknowledgement that UV inhibitors play a role in polyolefin bag performance.

The JCIBPC also reviewed ’09 experimental test programs and heard NCC staff reports on packaging material use, the status of burlap and a request for a variance from the JCIPBC’s country of origin requirements for polypropylene. Staff reported that ’09 burlap use in the United States accounted for about one half of one percent of all bags used or approximately 70,000 bales.

During the Committee’s executive session, it approved experimental test program requests from: (1) L P Brown Co/IFP for a sixth year of testing of a 100% woven cotton bale bag; (2) Langston Company for a third year of testing of a 100% woven cotton bale bag; (3) Propex Operating Company LLC for a first year of testing of a modified construction spiral sewn woven polypropylene bale bag; and (4) L P Brown Co/IFP for a first year of testing of 8½ Gauge Wire for 6-Tie Applications.

In a separate action, the JCIBPC agreed to continue the policy of strongly encouraging gins using materials approved for use in experimental test programs to recess their bale ties. Gins also were urged to record and provide testing firms with a bale tag list when experimental test products are used. The range of bale numbers are used by NCC staff to monitor the performance of tested materials. Both requests were presented initially at the Committee’s ’08 meeting and reaffirmed at this year’s meeting.

National Cotton Ginners’ Assoc. Executive Vice President Harrison Ashley said each level of Ginner Schools’ coursework is built on the previous level of instruction, with Level I as the foundation. Thus, beginning students, regardless of gin experience, should start with Level I.

Level I courses are: Introduction to Cotton Ginning and the Industry; Maintenance of Auxiliary Gin Components; Basic Hydraulics; Basic Gin Safety; Maintenance and Adjustments for Seed Cotton Cleaners, Gin Stands, and Lint Cleaners; Air Utilization and Drying; and Electricity in the Gin.

The Level II offerings include: Purpose and Operating Principles of Individual Gin Machines; Efficient Operation, Adjustment, and Maintenance of Gin Equipment; Pneumatics and Waste Collection; Electrical Systems; Hydraulic Systems; Gin Safety; Management Tips; and Roller Ginning (at the Western School only).

Level III features: Review of Functions of a Ginning System; Electrical Systems; Air Systems in the Gin; Drying and Moisture Restoration Systems; Matching Machinery Capacities in the System; Seed Cotton Unloading Systems and Management of Seed Cotton Handling Systems; Bale Presses and Hydraulic Systems; Safety Programs and Labor Regulations; Cottonseed Handling Systems; and Roller Ginning (at the Western School only).

In addition to Levels I, II and III, all schools will feature a two-day continuing education (CE) coursefor certified ginners and gin managers. They may register for the two days or for individual parts of the course with a minimum of one day registration. Check at each location for the order in which these will be covered.

The CE course’s first day offerings will focus on developing basic skills and knowledge in PLC controllers, touch screens and electrical components. Training will provide students with a basic understanding of PLC operation and programming that will allow for better communications with the repairman to expedite resolution of problems in the gin. The session will include a discussion of electricity in the gin and a focus on reading wiring diagrams and identifying problems that will allow for better communications with electricians. Other discussions will be held on high efficiency motors, power saving techniques, energy management and new technology to conserve energy.

The second day’s CE course discussion will focus on high capacity ginning and quality preservation; how ginners can get the most out of the gin through reduced operational costs, gin management and maintenance activities. Included will be identifying capacity drags, understanding the difference between urgency and carelessness and identifying capacity killers. The course will feature discussions on developing a program that can assist ginners in reaching the gin’s full operational capacity and maintaining that level throughout the ginning season.