The First District will have the lead voice on environmental issues in the state after Rep. Joel Kitchens was named the chairperson of the Assembly Environment Committee. The First District has been in the limelight over the last few years because of its ongoing water contamination concerns due to manure spreading and aging septic tank systems. Rep. Kitchens says there needs to be a good balance of economic development and protecting the environment.

Rep. Kitchens says the results following the adoption of new, stricter NR-151 rules will also be important as it relates to protecting ground and surface water.