IMPAIRED WATERS LIST NOW AVAILABLE
The DNR will begin taking public comments on the draft 2004 Impaired Waters
List or 303(d) list on Feb. 21. The list was also presented at the Feb. 21
meeting of the Environmental Protection Commission.
The 2004 draft list of impaired waters includes 211 waterbodies,
comprised of 161 stream or river segments, 47 lakes, one flood control
reservoir, and two wetlands. There were 205 waterbodies listed on the
2002 list
"We have seen some improvements to water quality and have removed 35
water bodies that were on the 2002 list," said Wayne Gieselman,
administrator of DNR's environmental services.
At the same time, he said, other water bodies have been added to the
list as the DNR has increased water monitoring sites and efforts.
"It hasn't been until just the last few years that we've even
done enough monitoring of our water to have this accurate of picture on
water quality," said Gieselman.
"While there have been some signs of improvement, it also shows us we
have a long way to go in Iowa in terms of improving water quality. It is
going to take a concentrated effort at the federal, state and local
levels before we start making any significant progress in substantially
reducing the number of impaired waters we have," Gieselman added.
DNR Director Jeff Vonk said the $50 million proposal by Gov. Tom
Vilsack is an important element toward improving water quality.
"What has been demonstrated and what Gov. Vilsack has recognized are
that the most successful efforts in improving water quality start at the
local level. This funding, proposed as a grant program to local
communities, would enourage local communities to take a leadership role
in protecting and restoring water quality," said Vonk.
The Governor's proposal is that the $50 million Iowa Value Fund
Grants be administered through the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
and be available as an incentive for communities to organize, plan and
implement improvements to their local water resources based on watershed
plans. The grants would supplement local investment and other state or
federal funds also available to protect water resources.
"Integrated efforts to restore our water resources can help make our
communities become more vibrant places to live and work," said Vonk.
To be listed as impaired, a waterbody must be assessed based on the
available monitoring data. The resulting data is used to determine if
the waterbody meets its designated use, which could be for drinking
water, primary contact recreation, aquatic life, or general uses.
In Iowa most impairments are due to habitat alterations, organic
(nutrient) enrichment, siltation, indicator bacteria, turbidity and
suspended algae. Turbidity and algae are primarily problems in lakes,
while high levels of nitrate are a problem for rivers that have been
designated for drinking water uses.
Ninety-four stream and river segments were added to the list where
biological monitoring has indicated that the aquatic communities (fish
and macroinvertebrates) are not as diverse as expected based on
historical sampling of regional reference sites. The specific cause
of aquatic life impairment are typically not identified in these
streams.
Additional information and a state map of the impaired waters is
available on the DNR Web site at
http://www.iowadnr.com/water/tmdlwqa/wqa/303d.html
Federal law requires all states to monitor and evaluate their
waterbodies every two years and to issue a report of which monitored
waters are not meeting these designated uses.
Public comments on the list can be sent to John Olson, environmental
specialist senior, at DNR, 502 East Ninth Street, Des Moines, IA 50319,
or emailed to [log in to unmask] The public comment period
will close on April 1, 2005.
After the DNR summarizes comments, the list will be submitted to the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for approval, after which the list
will be finalized.
For more information, contact John Olson at (515) 281-8905 or Chris
VanGorp at (515) 281-4791.
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