Federal officials say they want to tweak San Joaquin Valley rules so certain farms -- the ones that emit smaller amounts of pollution -- are not required to get air permits or buy credits from businesses that have already reduced pollution.

Environmentalists say the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is turning its back on Valley residents by allowing these operations to get away without cleaning up excess pollution.

EPA disagrees, saying the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District's rules right now are out of sync with state law and overstep their authority. The May 2004 rules need to be made consistent with California state law.

The EPA is also proposing to approve a state request to revise the district’s rule to be more specific about pollution thresholds for farms.

Environmentalists say the EPA is merely proposing to lift rules that apply to other businesses in the Valley.

EPA officials are asking for public comment for 30 days from the date of publication in the Federal Register.