The Sconi

Bipartisan group calls for Farm Bill to include Baldwin-led Healthy H2O Act to help rural communities, farmers struggling with PFAS contamination 

WASHINGTON, D.C. - On June 27, 2023, U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Susan Collins (R-ME) and Representative Chellie Pingree (D-ME-01) led a bipartisan group of colleagues in sending a letter to the leadership of the Senate and House Committees on Agriculture urging them to address harmful PFAS (per- and polyfluoralkyl substances) contamination in the 2023 Farm Bill to help provide safe, clean water to farmers and rural communities.

“The use of PFAS chemicals in various industrial and commercial applications has led to widespread contamination, posing a significant threat to our environment, public health, and agricultural systems,” the Senators and Representatives wrote. “It is imperative that we take decisive action to provide assistance and relief to those affected by PFAS.”

The letter urges the Committees to include two bipartisan bills aimed at providing assistance and relief to farmers and rural communities who bear the brunt of PFAS contamination. The Healthy H2O Act, introduced by Senators Baldwin and Collins and Representative Pingree, provides grants for water testing and treatment technology directly to individuals and non-profits in rural communities. The legislation would help ensure that the nearly 43 million households who rely on groundwater through private wells have access to the tools they need to keep their drinking water safe.

In addition to The Healthy H2O Act, the Senators and Representatives called for the Relief for Farmers Hit With PFAS Act to be included in the Farm Bill. This bipartisan legislation provides financial assistance and support to farmers affected by PFAS contamination.

“These provisions will not only offer crucial assistance to farmers affected by PFAS contamination, but also contribute to the long-term sustainability of our water and food production systems and safeguard public health,” continued the Senators and Representatives. “Together, we can work towards protecting our farmers, our rural communities, and our natural resources from the devastating impacts of PFAS contamination.”

Along with Senators Baldwin and Collins and Representative Pingree, the bipartisan letter was co-signed by Senators Angus King (I-ME), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Tina Smith (D-MN), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and Representatives Melanie Stansbury (D-NM-01), Betty McCollum (D-MN-04), Jared Golden (D-ME-02), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI-07), Mark Pocan (D-WI-02), Michael Lawler (R-NY-17), and Gwen Moore (D-WI-04).

A copy of this letter is available here and below. 

Dear Chair Stabenow, Ranking Member Boozman, Chair Thompson, and Ranking Member Scott,

As you consider the 2023 Farm Bill, we write to express our support for the inclusion of measures that address PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) contamination, particularly in rural communities. Including these provisions is critical to the health and economic prosperity of the agricultural sector.

The use of PFAS chemicals in various industrial and commercial applications has led to widespread contamination, posing a significant threat to our environment, public health, and agricultural systems. Farmers and rural communities, in particular, bear the brunt of this contamination, as it affects their drinking water, soil quality, and livestock health. It is imperative that we take decisive action to provide assistance and relief to those affected by PFAS. We therefore urge the Senate Agriculture Committee to include the following bipartisan legislation in the 2023 Farm Bill:

1. The Healthy H2O Act: This legislation aims to address PFAS contamination in water supplies by providing funding for water testing, treatment, and remediation. By allocating resources to support the implementation of effective PFAS filtration systems, we can ensure that farmers and rural communities have access to clean and safe water, protecting both human health and agricultural productivity.
2. The Relief for Farmers Hit with PFAS Act: This bill seeks to provide financial assistance and support to farmers affected by PFAS contamination. By establishing a comprehensive assistance program, we can help farmers mitigate the economic burdens resulting from PFAS-related disruptions and implement necessary remediation efforts. Additionally, this act can support research and education initiatives to enhance farmers' awareness and understanding of PFAS risks and best management practices.

By including the Healthy H2O Act and the Relief for Farmers Hit With PFAS Act in the Farm Bill, Congress can demonstrate our commitment to the well-being of our agricultural sector and rural communities. These provisions will not only offer crucial assistance to farmers affected by PFAS contamination, but also contribute to the long-term sustainability of our water and food production systems and safeguard public health. Together, we can work towards protecting our farmers, our rural communities, and our natural resources from the devastating impacts of PFAS contamination. Thank you for your attention to this matter and consideration of this request.

Sincerely,