EPA Regulates Arizona Farm Dust in Oddly Specific County
Published Date: 1/17/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The EPA is proposing to approve new rules from Arizona that aim to reduce dust pollution from farming in Pinal County. These changes update laws and definitions to better control tiny dust particles that can harm air quality. People can share their thoughts by February 18, 2025, before the EPA makes a final decision.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 4 costs, 0 mixed.
More farms become regulated
Arizona expanded the statutory definition of “regulated agricultural activities” to explicitly include dairies, beef feedlots, poultry facilities, and swine facilities, and expanded “regulated area” to any PM10 nonattainment areas designated by the EPA on or after June 1, 2009 (including the West Pinal County PM10 nonattainment area). These changes were submitted to EPA on March 3, 2023 as revisions to ARS Sec. 49-457 and, if approved into the SIP, would make those animal operations subject to the State’s agricultural PM10 permit framework.
Crop operators must adopt two BMPs
The revised crop-operations rule (AAC R18-2-610.03, amended November 26, 2021 and submitted March 3, 2023) requires operators in the Pinal County PM10 nonattainment area to implement two best management practices (BMPs) from the rule’s menu for different areas, where the prior requirement called for one BMP. The rule also adds definitions such as “unpaved vehicle or equipment traffic area.”
Animal operations must implement BMPs
A new rule (AAC R18-2-611.03, submitted March 3, 2023) would require commercial dairy operations, beef cattle feedlots, poultry facilities, and swine facilities in the Pinal County PM10 nonattainment area to implement best management practices to reduce PM10 emissions. The new AAC R18-2-611 provides definitions to support these animal-operation BMP requirements.
Record, reporting, and enforcement gaps — federal risk
The crop and animal operation rules require an annual BMP Program General Permit Record Form, three-year record retention, and a survey every three years (survey responses are aggregated and anonymous). However, the rules do not require routine submission of the form to the Director (forms are provided only within two business days if the Director requests them), and EPA finds these features not sufficiently enforceable. EPA is proposing a limited disapproval for these enforceability gaps; if finalized, the EPA must promulgate a federal implementation plan within 24 months unless Arizona fixes the defects, and CAA sanctions could follow (an offset sanction 18 months after the effective date of a final disapproval and a highway-funding sanction six months after that).
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-11736 — Attainment Date Extension for the South Coast, California 2012 Annual PM2.5 Fine Particulate Matter Nonattainment Area
The EPA is proposing to give the South Coast area in California more time—until the end of 2030—to meet air quality standards for tiny pollution particles called PM2.5. This extension affects residents and businesses in Los Angeles and nearby areas, allowing extra years to clean the air without penalties. The EPA is asking for public comments by July 13, 2026, before making the final decision.
2026-11735 — Attainment Date Extension for the San Joaquin Valley, California 2012 Annual PM2.5 Fine Particulate Matter Nonattainment Area
The EPA is proposing to give the San Joaquin Valley in California an extra five years—until the end of 2030—to meet air quality standards for tiny pollution particles called PM2.5. This extension helps the area keep working on cleaning the air without rushing, affecting local residents and businesses. You can share your thoughts on this plan until July 13, 2026, and no new costs are expected right now.
2026-11765 — Reforms To Remove SBA's 8(a) Program's Rebuttable Presumption of Social Disadvantage for Individually Owned Firms Only; Reforms Do Not Impact Entity-Owned Firms
The SBA is changing the rules for its 8(a) program to remove the automatic assumption that individuals from certain groups are socially disadvantaged. This change only affects businesses owned by individuals, not those owned by tribes or other organizations. Comments on this proposal are open until July 13, 2026, and the update aims to make the program fairer and more in line with the law.
2026-11593 — Significant New Use Rules on Certain Chemical Substances (26-1)
The EPA is proposing new rules that require companies to tell them 90 days before using certain chemicals in new ways. This gives the EPA time to check if the new use is safe before it starts. If you make or import these chemicals, you need to watch the July 10, 2026 deadline to share your plans and avoid delays or fines.
2026-11634 — Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Threatened Species Status With Section 4(d) Rule for Southern Hognose Snake
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is moving forward to list the southern hognose snake as a threatened species, giving it special protections. They fixed the date for a public hearing on June 25, 2026, and reopened the comment period until July 8, 2026, so everyone can share their thoughts. This means more chances to help protect this cool snake without any immediate costs.
2026-11530 — Employment and Training Services for Noncustodial Parents in the Child Support Program; Rescission
The government plans to cancel a recent rule that let child support agencies offer job training to noncustodial parents using federal funds. This change affects agencies and parents involved in the child support program and could shift how support services are funded and delivered. Comments on this proposal are open until August 10, 2026, so folks have time to weigh in before it’s final.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-00012 — Conformance of the Cost Accounting Standards to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles for CAS 404 Capitalization of Tangible Assets and CAS 411 Accounting for Acquisition Costs of Material
The government wants to update rules on how companies count the cost of big stuff they buy and use, like machines and materials, to match regular accounting rules. If you’re a business working with federal contracts, these changes could affect how you report costs. You’ve got until March 18, 2025, to share your thoughts before any new rules kick in.
Next: 2025-00731 — N-(1,3-Dimethylbutyl)-N′-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine (6PPD) and its transformation product, 6PPD-quinone; Regulatory Investigation under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA); Extension of the Comment Period
The EPA is giving everyone more time—until March 24, 2025—to share their thoughts on a chemical called 6PPD and its byproduct, 6PPD-quinone, which might pose risks to health and the environment. This extension helps businesses, scientists, and the public weigh in before any new rules are made under the Toxic Substances Control Act. No costs or rules are set yet, but this is a key step toward safer chemical use.