03/10/05 Unexpected boom; C.A.F.O. considerations

One expert at the University of Washington's seismology lab says they don't expect another explosion. Then again, the latest eruption of Mt. St. Helens was not expected either, and that was with fair warning from geologists that the mountain's dome building pattern could change at any time. Tuesday night's activity started with a 2.0 earthquake near the mountain, followed an hour later by a blast that sent an ash cloud 36,000 feet into the air and caused a light dusting of ash to parts of Central Washington. Experts say one possible reason for the explosion was the partial collapse of a new lava dome growing inside the crater since October. A host of farm groups are pleased over a partial ruling by a federal appellate court last week on Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation regulations. That ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals Second Circuit Court says livestock producers will be required to apply for federal Clean Water Act permits based on actual discharges into U.S. waters. The reason for the celebration by the American Farm Bureau Federation and various livestock organizations is environmental groups wanted the permits to be based on potential discharges. However, the farm supporter's victory was tempered by the Court's additional ruling, which sided with environmentalists that C.A.F.O.'s would be required to have a nutrient management plan & one that must be available for public comment prior to permit approval. Now with today's "Food Forethought", here's Susan Allen. ALLEN: Who would have ever thought shopping for olive oil would like shopping for wine, I mean come on, here I am trying to make a appellation decision about something I am going to sauté an onion in. In all seriousness this golden oil has been around for thousands of years because it is good for us. It is the only type of vegetable oil that is obtained from just pressing, unlike corn and canola that must be processed. Plan on seeing much more olive oil selections in stores given the fact that it is one of the three foods that the FDA has approved that carries a quantified health claim on the label. Until last year the only health claims allowed by food producers were those with significant scientific agreement., Olive Producers will now be able to include on their label that there is limited and not conclusive scientific evidence suggesting that two tablespoons a day, (23) grams of olive oil may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. .Kind of leaves the door open to the non-conclusive health benefits of say wine, garlic, and chocolate. I'm Susan Allen and this is Food Forethought.