Document jDLGJEExeebpv5poZG2aLKOZ

State of Nebraska Pete Ricketts Governor Nov. 28, 2016 Department of Agriculture Greg Ibach Director P.O.Box 94947 Lincoln, NE 68509-4947 (402) 471-2341 Fax: (402)471-6876 www.nda.nebraska.gov The Honorable Gina McCarthy Administrator U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 1200 Pennsylvania Av., NW Washington, D.C. 20460-0001 Re: Request for Extension to W orker Protection Standard Implementation Timeline Dear Administrator McCarthy: As Director for the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, I am respectively requesting the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) extend the implementation of all revised provisions of the Agricultural Worker Protection Standard (WPS) until January 2, 2018, or until EPA has delivered the appropriate materials and provided the financial resources that will be necessary for my department to implement these rules changes. As a state lead agency we need to have the appropriate training and educational materials available to our trainers in a reasonable timeframe in order to adequately prepare for the execution and implementation of the revised provisions of the WPS. To date we have not received those EPA approved materials that would allow us to begin the process of outreach and education. As we share responsibility with EPA for the implementation and compliance with the WPS, it is essential to extend the deadline for this process in order to provide all partners with an adequate timeline to receive and distribute approved materials that will assure proper training needed to meet the new regulations in the new provisions. I appreciate your consideration for the extension and understanding the constraints of the current situation. Thank you. Sincerely, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Greg Ibach Director An Equal Opportunity/AffirmativeAction Employer Printed with soy ink on recycled paper Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 3/4 ED 002061 00044547-00001