Here is Governor Vilsack's press release on SF 343

Senate File 343, an Act relating to operation permits for public disposal
systems and providing an effective date.

I am unable to approve Senate File 343, which would exempt publicly owned
wastewater treatment facilities from obtaining or complying with National
Pollution Discharge Elimination System permits in response to a change by
the Environmental Protection Commission in the use designation of a cold
water stream receiving the discharge of the disposal system until the
Commission adopts by rule methods for the review of use designations of cold
water streams.

I have several concerns with this bill.  First, it states that a publicly
owned treatment works does not have to obtain a permit under certain
conditions.  Both existing state and federal law require that these permits
be issued to these treatment works.  The state cannot, by statute or rule,
create a situation where unauthorized discharges are allowed.  To legislate
in this manner would unduly jeopardize the permitting authority currently
delegated to the state by an agreement with the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency.

Second, this bill is aimed at only cold water streams and not streams with
other classifications.  Legislation related to the operation of public
disposal systems should address all public disposal systems, not just those
that discharge to cold water streams.

Third, Senate File 343 is an attempt to address the problem of stream
classification faced by a specific city.  The legislation is now unnecessary
because of steps being taken by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
DNR is currently working on a scientifically sound system of reclassifying
the use designations of streams in Iowa.  The Department is doing this work
using a technical advisory committee of experts, affected industries and
public entities.  The DNR's approach more comprehensively and appropriately
addresses the problem that the bill attempts to address.  Furthermore, DNR
has agreed to grant the city in question a permit under the existing system,
with DNR reserving the right to review the permit if classifications are
changed in the future.

I have made it a priority to protect and improve the water quality of our
rivers, lakes and streams.  In my Condition of the State address this year,
I made it part of my Leadership Agenda to eliminate the state's impaired
waterways by 2010.  Later this year, we will hold a Water Quality Summit to
bring stakeholders together to start taking important steps to better
protect our water resources.  Protecting our water resources ensures that
Iowans have safe drinking water as well as recreational and tourism
opportunities that we cherish.  This bill is unnecessary and contradicts our
goal of protecting Iowa's waterways and water resources.



Lyle Krewson wrote:

>ALERT!
>
>The Governor's Office just called me to say that the Governor had, this
>afternoon, vetoed SF 343, the Garnovillo Bill. Hooray for Vilsack!
>
>Please, especially if you wrote him about it before, write a note or email
>to say Thanks!
>
>Lyle Krewson
>Sierra Club
>Chapter Lobbyist
>
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