Specific Environmental Issues

1. Water
   1. Ground Water Contamination:
      1. Is the use of agricultural pesticides contaminating our groundwater?
      2. Is the use of agricultural fertilizers contaminating our groundwater?
      3. Is animal waste contaminating
      4. Which is the major contributor to groundwater contamination, point source or non-point sources of pollution?
   2. Surface Water Contamination:
      1. Is our surface water being contaminated by the use of pesticides?
      2. Is our surface water being contaminated by the use of fertilizers?
      3. Is animal waste contaminating the surface water?
      4. What effect is sedimentation having on our surface water?
   3. Use of Water Resources
      1. Should more water be used for animal production than what is used for human consumption?
      2. Is crop irrigation using up too much valuable water that should be used for human consumption?
2. Land Use
   1. Soil Contamination:
      1. Are land owners legally liable for the contamination of their soil?
      2. How do soil contaminates affect plant growth?
      3. Is livestock waste contaminating our soil?
      4. Do the fuels used for agricultural production contaminate our soil?
      5. How do agricultural chemicals and fertilizers have an effect on our soil?
      6. Is our soil being contaminated from the disposal of pesticide containers?
      7. Who should pay for pesticide container disposal, recycling and site remediation?
   2. Urbanization:
      1. Is urbanization affecting the amount of land available for agricultural use?
      2. Is urbanization having an effect on the rearrangement of land?
   3. Deforestation:
      1. How is deforestation of land for agricultural use affecting our environment?
   4. Use of Public Lands:
      1. How is the grazing of public lands affecting the environment?
   5. Plant and Animal Habitat:
      1. Is the development of new state and federal parks affecting the habitat of plants and animals?
      2. Is the introduction of new species to the land having an affect on the habitats of existing plants and animals?
3. Global Warming
   1. Methane Gas:
      1. Is the amount of methane gas being emitted by livestock having an affect on global warming?
      2. Is the amount of methanegas being emitted by agricultural crops having an affect on global warming?
      3. Is deforestation having an affect on global warming?
4. Air Quality
   1. Noise Pollution:
      1. Is the use of agricultural machinery contributing to noise pollution?
      2. Are tools related to horticulture (e.g., chain saws, lawn mowers, etc.) contributing to noise pollution?
   2. Odors:
      1. Is the odor from livestock waste affecting the quality of the air?
      2. Is the odor being emitted from livestock facilities affecting the quality of air?
   3. Chemical Drift:
      1. Is agricultural chemical drift having an impact on air quality?
   4. Acid Rain:
      1. Is agriculture helping to create more of a problem with acid rain?