When the heavy hand of the Environmental Protection Agency falls on most small business people, they submit to the agency’s dictates. They don’t want to spend the money and endure the agony of fighting back.

Lois Alt, who owns a chicken farm in Hardy County, W.Va., is different.

Some time ago, the EPA threatened to fine Alt if she did not obtain a water pollution permit for normal storm water runoff from her farm. Last year, Alt sued the agency, which attempted to avoid having an example made of itself by saying it would withdraw the threat.

Alt, knowing the EPA would move on to victimize other farmers if she dropped her lawsuit, stood her ground.

Recently, U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey ruled the agency has no authority to force Alt to obtain a permit.

Lois Alt is a heroine for standing up to big government. Here’s hoping her courage prompts others to challenge the EPA.