Tell it to the judge: Earth Justice may have lied

When state agriculture and consumer services commissioner Charles Bronson appeared before a state Senate committee Dec. 9, he didn't mince words about a new federal standard.

“This thing is serious, very serious,” and a threat to the state's 700,000 jobs and $120 billion agriculture industry, Bronson said, referring to a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposal to set strict, numeric nutrient water quality standards throughout the state.

He went on to describe it as “one of the most pressing and one of the most dangerous things I've seen since I've been agriculture commissioner.” He accused the environmental law firm which sued the EPA for failing to comply with the federal Clean Water Act and of lying to U.S. District Jude Robert Hinkle, who approved a consent decree Nov.16.