Four Oklahomans in the U.S. House joined 140 other House members this week in sending a letter to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy demanding answers about the EPA’s funding of a website and advocacy campaign to influence Washington State voters for more regulation of farmers and ranchers.
Representatives Jim Bridenstine, Tom Cole, Frank Lucas and Markwayne Mullin signed the letter wanting answers how the agency funded the whatsupstream.com website in violation of federal law.
“EPA financial assistance was used to fund an advocacy campaign attacking farmers and ranchers and blaming them for water pollution in Washington state,” said the letter, which also stated that the EPA admitted helping fund the campaign in violation of federal law.
“We write to request documents and information on how EPA plans to address these specific violations, as well as how EPA conducts oversight of grant recipients,” asked the members of Congress. “While this advocacy campaign is troubling, we are even more concerned that it appears to be part of a broader pattern of mismanagement of federal funds at EPA.”
As the letter pointed out, the EPA granted $3 million in an agreement with the Northwest Indian Fisheries commission and the money was used for the campaign including billboards, bus placards and the website. The Commission and the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community used the EPA money to partner with environmental activist groups.
The House members want an answer from the EPA by April 29.
