BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) -- Democratic agriculture commissioner candidate Merle Boucher says incumbent Republican Doug Goehring (GORE'-ing) should be helping farmers comply with new federal fuel tank rules instead of complaining about them.
The rules say farmers who store more than 1,320 gallons of fuel in above-ground tanks have to take precautions against an oil spill. The plans have to be done by Nov. 10.
Boucher says the deadline should be extended by 18 months to three years. But he says Goehring hasn't offered any ideas to help farmers meet it. Instead, Boucher says, Goehring is just complaining about the deadline.
Boucher says the state Insurance Department, the Water Commission and local extension agents can give farmers advice on complying with the rules.
