<b>By SHELLY STRAUTZ-SPRINGBOR<br>
Michigan Correspondent</b> </p><p>

LANSING, Mich. — Farmers with large stocks of certain chemicals have until Jan. 21 to complete a risk assessment or face penalties for non-compliance under U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulations.</p><p>
As part of national anti-terrorism efforts, DHS is authorized to regulate the security of “high-risk chemical facilities,” which are deemed to be any facility using or storing certain chemicals above a specified threshold established by DHS Chemical Facility and Anti-Terrorism Standards.</p><p>
Michigan State University (MSU) Montcalm County Extension Director Don Lehman said that many farms could have quantities of certain chemicals that would require compliance.</p><p>
“Anhydrous ammonia is fairly common on Michigan farms,” Lehman said, “and 28-percent liquid nitrogen solution is quite common.”</p><p>
Chemicals singled out by DHS include commonly used products such as anhydrous ammonia and propane. Some chemicals of interest and quantities that are most likely to impact agriculture include:</p><p>
•60,000 pounds of propane</p><p>
•20,000 pounds or 1,878 gallons of 28-percent nitrogen</p><p>
•10,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia, which would equal four typical pull-behind tanks completely loaded</p><p>
•2,500 pounds of bulk chlorine</p><p>
•500 pounds of chlorine that is bagged, on a trailer or in some other transportation package</p><p>
•2,000 pounds of ammonium nitrate that is bagged, on a trailer or in some other transportation package</p><p>
•400 pounds of potassium nitrate that is bagged, on a trailer or in some other transportation package</p><p>
•400 pounds of sodium nitrate that is bagged, on a trailer or in some other transportation package</p><p>
A complete list of impacted chemicals and quantities is available online at www.dhs.gov/chemicalsecurity in “Appendix A: Chemicals of Interest List.”</p><p>
Agricultural producers who have any of the identified chemicals over the threshold quantities on their farm as of Nov. 20, 2007, must complete an online risk assessment tool called the Chemical Security Anti-Terrorism (CSAT) Top Screen by Jan. 21.</p><p>
The tool also can be found at www.dhs.gov/chemicalsecurity
After this step, DHS will determine whether the farm presents a security risk and is subject to the Chemical Facility and Anti-Terrorism Standards.</p><p>
Bob Boehm, Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) Commodity and Marketing Department manager, said that while farmers are required to complete the initial risk assessment, it is unlike that they will be subject to additional DHS protocols.</p><p>
“It’s our understanding that DHS intends to focus additional security standards on major production facilities and chemical plants where risk is the highest,” Boehm said.</p><p>
“Still, agriculture is included in this initial step, meaning farmers need to fully cooperate in the interest of national security.”</p><p>
In order to make this process as convenient and manageable for farmers as possible, during the rulemaking process MFB was successful in lobbying for the adoption of higher threshold levels and removal of some chemicals from the list, including urea.
To ensure enforcement, DHS is authorized to conduct audits and inspections of high-risk facilities.</p><p>
The agency can impose civil penalties of up to $25,000 per day and/or shut down facilities for failure to comply with the regulations.