Chet Culver and Patty Judge turned Iowa backwards again. Under Vilsack,
Vonk and the prior EPC, we were making progress, albeit ever so slowly. But
Culver fired Vonk and replaced the EPC.
The Governor is responsible for the reversal of the forward trend. Tell him
how you feel about his leadership!
Here's another example: The Governor campaigned for local control but
refuses to lead on the issue. Leopold started undermining local control the
minute he was appointed. Included below is a resolution that my county has
already passed - I encourage all of you to take a copy of this resolution to
your own caucuses and ask your county to endorse rural communities and to
tell the politicians to put people before polluters.
RESOLUTION
Local Control for Siting of Industrial Animal Production Facilities
Whereas, the Iowa Democratic State Platform includes the statement of
principle: "As temporary stewards of our natural resources, we demand that
our governing bodies develop policies and laws promoting sound energy
practices and permanently protecting our environment from wasteful and
indiscriminate use. Clean air, clean water, and diverse ecosystems,
including our national parks, oceans, and ancient forests, are part of our
children's future and must be protected. As stewards of Iowa's heritage, we
cherish our land and family farms." And,
Whereas, the Iowa Democratic State Platform includes the issue statement:
"We support legislation regulating CAFOs (concentrated animal feeding
operations) providing for county control in applying state guidelines, with
a temporary moratorium until zoning is returned to counties, requiring an
environmental impact statement, repealing the tax abatement for waste
systems, creating an indemnity fund to allow aggrieved parties damages
associated with CAFOs, ensuring the ability to file lawsuits against CAFOs,
and no restrictions on filing complaints with the IDNR/EPA." And,
Whereas, Governor Chet Culver made repeated public endorsements for local
control of the siting of industrial-scale livestock facilities during his
gubernatorial campaign and the issue of county control played a pivotal role
in motivating our county voters to support Democratic candidates in the 2006
elections. And,
Whereas, Iowa's rural communities and family farms are being irreparably
harmed by the air pollution, water pollution and community decline
associated with the ad hoc siting of industrial-scale livestock facilities.
Therefore, BE IT RESOLVED THAT Iowa's Governor, Legislative Leadership and
Democratic Caucuses are strongly urged to enact legislation during the 2008
general assembly for county control in the siting of industrial-scale
livestock facilities, including a temporary moratorium until zoning for
industrial agricultural facilities is returned to counties.
Signed by: __________________________________
Title: ______________________________________
Date: ___________________________
_____
From: Iowa Discussion, Alerts and Announcements
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Steve Veysey
Sent: Friday, December 28, 2007 4:30 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Water Quality - The Fox Guarding the Chickens
Hello,
I just submitted the letter below to the Des Moines Register. In light of
the caucuses taking up all of the editorial space over the next few days, I
don't really think it will get printed before the Jan 2 deadline, but here
it is anyway.
Steve
****************************************************************************
*****************************************
Dear Editor,
For just a moment I was encouraged to read DNR Director Leopold's statement
that "we'll get to the right place" in regards to stream designations
protective of aquatic life and recreational activities. Then I recalled
all of the broken promises, half-truths and obfuscation the agency has used
over the years to deny, dodge, and delay implementing proper protections for
our rivers and streams. So please excuse me for being a bit skeptical when
the fox tells me what a great job he is doing protecting the chickens.
The frustrating part is that these are not bad people, but every decision
they make about improving water quality is in the context of running
pollution permit programs. The polluters are quite literally, "the
customers". So until we demand that our local government officials and
business leaders protect water quality, and until we own up to the fact that
we all need to pay a bit more to poop, don't expect to see changes
implemented any time soon.
In the meantime, let's not buy into DNR's spin that downgrading these
streams is somehow an improvement. Through some sort of twisted logic, they
want to assign an aquatic life designation that protects the fish but not
the people who eat the fish. They want to protect for people swimming, but
not for kids splashing and playing and learning to swim. It only makes
sense when you recognize that it costs money to reduce pollution, and that
doesn't sit well with their customers. So let's change the dynamic once and
for all by letting them know who their customers really are. Speak now or
forever hold your piece.
Steve Veysey
Ames, IA
****************************************************************************
**********************************************
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