for immediate release: August 27, 2009
1. Iowa DNR and Keep Iowa Beautiful partner to catch illegal dumpers
2. DNR Director’s public forum heads to Lake Macbride
3. DNR to discuss air, water quality at 2009 Iowa Environmental Conference
Iowa DNR and Keep Iowa Beautiful Partner to Catch Illegal Dumpers
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Tom Anderson Gerald F. Schnepf
Land Quality Bureau Executive Director
Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources Keep Iowa Beautiful
(515) 281-8623 (515) 323-6507
[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
DES MOINES — The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Keep Iowa Beautiful have partnered in a pilot project to reduce illegal dumping in Iowa through the use of electronic surveillance. The program is funded through a grant from the DNR.
The DNR and Keep Iowa Beautiful explored potential areas in Iowa and selected one recurrent illegal dump site to initiate the pilot project. The location selected will not be released until the conclusion of the project in 2010.
“Illegal dumping costs Iowans more than $3 million each year,” said Gerald Schnepf, Keep Iowa Beautiful executive director. “The total annual cost to counties, cities and the Iowa Department of Transportation is more than $1 million each for litter and clean-up efforts.”
In 2007 Boone County spent more than $126,000 to clean up roadside illegal dump sites. If the material had been taken to the landfill and properly disposed or recycled the cost would have been $1,250.
Dumped materials harbor disease-carrying insects that negatively impact public health, expose the environment and wildlife to hazardous waste, threaten water resources and diminish the quality of Iowa’s natural beauty. In addition, dump sites may catch fire and hazardous air pollutants can be emitted to the atmosphere.
“The DNR field offices are frequently contacted by the public to investigate illegal dumping activities on private land,” said Tom Anderson, DNR environmental specialist. “Illegal dumping is also a concern in our state parks and wildlife areas, requiring time and resources of DNR park and wildlife staff to properly manage the area and materials.”
The DNR developed a statewide initiative after a 2008 test project in Des Moines was successfully implemented by Keep Iowa Beautiful and Metro Waste Authority.
The project helped evaluate the equipment and the process required for set up and assisted in the identification of several illegal dumpers.
For more information on illegal dumping in Iowa go to: www.iowadnr.gov/waste/sw/illdump.html DNR DIRECTOR’S PUBLIC FORUM HEADS TO LAKE MACBRIDE
MEDIA CONTACT: Tammie Krausman, DNR, at (515) 402-8763 or [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>.
SOLON– DNR Director Richard Leopold will hold a public forum on Thursday at Lake MacBride State Park main lodge near Solon in Johnson County.
Richard Leopold, director of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, is holding forums across the state again this year to discuss natural resource issues with Iowans.
“I really look forward to hearing from Iowa’s citizens. Last year, we got great feedback and ideas from more than 300 attendees,” said Leopold about the seven forums held last year. “Our relationship with Iowans is something we highly value within the DNR and we will work together on the things most affecting our natural resources.”
Each public forum begins at 6 p.m. with Director Leopold outlining the DNR’s top priorities, the environmental report card, providing an update on budget cuts and discussing local issues. Another hour-and-a-half will be devoted to answering questions from the public.
Director Leopold has hosted more than 60 people at forums at Honey Creek Resort and Dolliver State Parks so far this month.
Upcoming public forums scheduled for Leopold are as follows, listed alphabetically by city:
Bedford
Lake of Three Fires State Park Lodge
Tuesday, Sept. 8, 6 p.m.
Bellevue
Bellevue State Park Lodge
Thursday, Sept. 3, 6 p.m.
Clear Lake
Clear Lake State Park Lodge
Thursday, Sept. 17, 6 p.m.
Council Bluffs
Hitchcock Nature Center
Wednesday, Sept. 30, 6 p.m.
Sioux City
Stone State Park Lodge
Thursday, Sept. 24, 6 p.m.
Solon
Lake MacBride State Park Main Lodge
Thursday, Aug. 27, 6 p.m.
DNR TO DISCUSS AIR, WATER QUALITY AT 2009 IOWA ENVIRONMENTAL CONFERENCE
MEDIA CONTACTS: Erin Seidler, (515) 725-3025, [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>; Nicole Molt, (515) 235-0567 [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
DES MOINES – The DNR will present sessions on air quality and water quality at the 2009 Iowa Environmental Conference in Johnston Sept. 16. The conference will focus on current and emerging environmental and energy policies and practices affecting business and economic development in Iowa.
At 10:30 a.m. DNR Air Quality Bureau Chief Catharine Fitzsimmons will present an overview of policy changes, administrative rules, legislation and compliance. Concurrently in another session, DNR Water Quality Bureau Chief Chuck Corell will highlight Iowa’s water issues, policy changes and regulation.
Adam Schnieders, DNR environmental specialist senior, will co-lead a discussion of water quality preservation (protection of unnecessary pollution) water quality policies with Iowa League of Cities Governmental Affairs Counsel Jessica Harder at 11:30 a.m.
At 1:15 p.m. DNR Air Quality Bureau Senior Environmental Specialist Christine Paulson will present a comprehensive update of air toxics standards recently implemented by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, as well as the Boiler Maximum Achievable Control Technology activities. Dan Nickey, manager of the Iowa Air Emissions Assistance Program, will co-lead these discussions.
The conference is hosted by the Iowa Department of Economic Development and Iowa Association of Business and Industry. View the conference agenda and register for the Sept. 16 event at www.iowaabi.org<http://www.iowaabi.org/> by clicking on the events calendar. Save $15 off the cost of the conference by registering prior to Aug. 31. The conference takes place at the Foxboro Conference Center in Johnston.
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