IOWA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
March 1, 2007
For immediate release
1. DNR encourages safe, proper disposal of tree debris following
storms
2. City of Fairfield bypasses wastewater following rainstorm
3. DNR enforcement actions
DNR ENCOURAGES SAFE, PROPER DISPOSAL OF TREE DEBRIS FOLLOWING STORMS
MEDIA CONTACT: Kathy Lee, (515) 725-0384.
DES MOINES - Following damage from winter storms, the DNR is
encouraging Iowans to properly and safely dispose of tree debris.
Residents should contact local city officials to find out how to handle
storm debris in their community. Cities need to be aware of regulations
regarding disposal of tree debris. While chipping trees and using tree
trimmings for habitat are the most environmentally friendly methods of
disposal, cities and other governmental entities may burn trees and tree
trimmings only if they follow state rules. According to Iowa
Administrative Code:
* The burn site must be operated by a local governmental entity.
* The burning site is fenced and access is controlled.
* Burning is conducted on a regularly scheduled basis and is
supervised at all times.
* Burning is conducted only when weather conditions are favorable
with respect to surrounding property.
* The burning site is limited to areas at least one-quarter mile
from any inhabited building.
Multiple burns of smaller piles are preferable over one large burn
pile. Burning should be conducted so that each burn is completed within
a 24-hour period.
"In the past, burn piles have smoldered for weeks or months creating
public health concerns for downwind residents," said Kathy Lee, an
environmental specialist with the DNR. "We want to ensure that our
cities are able to clean up storm debris quickly, but do it in such a
way to protect our environment and our citizens' health."
If the open burning of trees and tree trimmings causes air pollution as
defined in Iowa Code Section 455B.131(3), the DNR may take appropriate
action to secure relocations of the burning operation. In addition,
rubber tires may not be used to ignite trees and tree trimmings. Trees
and tree trimmings can not be disposed of at sanitary landfills.
If you have questions technical assistance is available from each of
the DNR's regional field offices:
Manchester: 563-927-2640
Mason City: 641-424-4073
Spencer: 712-262-4177
Atlantic: 712-243-1934
Des Moines: 515-725-0268
Washington: 319-653-2135
# # #
CITY OF FAIRFIELD BYPASSES WASTEWATER FOLLOWING RAINSTORM
MEDIA CONTACT: Brent Earley, (319) 653-2135
FAIRFIELD - Heavy rains led the City of Fairfield to bypass about
20,000 gallons of wastewater early Thursday morning.
A lift station of the southwest side of Fairfield could not keep up
with the rainfall. As a result, two manholes bypassed wastewater to an
unnamed tributary of Cedar Creek. The city discovered the bypass around
2 a.m. and stopped the bypass by 4:30 a.m.
The city is working to update the lift station to reduce the number of
bypasses in the future and plans to finish the project by August 31.
# # #
DNR ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS
MEDIA CONTACT: Jessie Brown at (515) 281-5131.
DES MOINES - The DNR took the following enforcement actions in February
2007, unless otherwise noted. The following are only briefs; please
contact Jessie Brown of the DNR for more information at (515) 281-5131.
Enforcement actions, including copies of the original orders and
contact information, are now available on the DNR's Web site at
www.iowadnr.gov/legal/eactions.html. The web listing will begin with
orders taken in 2007.
Consent Orders
A consent order is issued in settlement of an administrative order or
as an alternative to issuing an administrative order. A consent order
indicates that the DNR has voluntarily entered into a legally
enforceable agreement with the other party.
Dubuque County
* Michael and Karen Schieltz, of New Vienna, agreed in a consent
order to submit a plan of action on how manure from their animal feeding
operation will be prevented from flowing into a stream, submit an
application for a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
(NPDES) permit, and to pay a $4,000 penalty and $9,000 in fish
restitution. The consent order is in regard to a manure release and fish
kill in the North Fork Maquoketa River.
Fremont County
* The City of Hamburg agreed in a consent order to comply with an
implementation schedule to rehabilitate its existing wastewater lagoon
system and add a fourth lagoon cell. The city agreed to pay stipulated
penalties if it does not meet the compliance schedule. The consent order
is in regard to wastewater violations.
Grundy, Hardin Counties
* Injectsom, LLC, of Grundy Center, agreed in a consent order to
pay a $4,000 penalty. The consent order is in regard to the use of a
non-certified manure applicator at a site in Hardin County.
Jasper County
* J & V Van Gorp, Inc., of Newton, agreed in a consent order to
cease unpermitted discharges of animal waste solids, submit a plan of
action for the improvement and maintenance of manure controls at its
facility, maintain the manure controls, and pay a $3,000 penalty and
$907.73 in fish restitution. The consent order is in regard to a manure
release and fish kill in an unnamed tributary of the North Skunk River.
Warren County
* Loving Rest, LLC, of Indianola, agreed in a consent order to
operate equipment to minimize air emissions, comply with opacity limits,
record daily observations of emissions, and pay a $5,000 penalty. The
consent order is in regard to air quality violations.
-30-
Neila Seaman, MPA
Director
Sierra Club, Iowa Chapter
3839 Merle Hay Road, Suite 280
Des Moines, IA 50310
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515-277-8868
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