FORT DODGE ADDED TO REGIONAL WATER QUALITY MEETING SCHEDULE

In response to public demand, the DNR has scheduled an additional regional
water quality meeting Nov. 5 in Fort Dodge.

"We added the Fort Dodge meeting at the request of local people. We're
trying to cover the entire state," said Bernie Hoyer, special assistant to
the director of the DNR.

Remaining meetings also include Sioux City and Estherville. The meetings
will address general water quality issues, nutrients and Iowa's impaired
waters and will include a presentation by DNR staff and an open public
discussion. Each regional meeting will also highlight a local water quality
project.

The public's ideas and input at the regional meetings will be taken to the
Iowa Water Summit Nov. 24 in Ames. The governor's Iowa Water Summit is an
unprecedented commitment to address impaired waters, and Governor Tom
Vilsack has listed water quality as one of his top priorities.

"People have given us very sincere and open comments at every session so
far. We're really appreciative of that," Hoyer said.

The Sioux City meeting will include a presentation focusing on the success
of the ongoing Storm Lake Restoration Project. Presenter Gary Lalone is
president of the Storm Lake Preservation Association, chairman of the Storm
Lake Improvement Committee and director of the Storm Lake Area Development
Corporation and Chamber of Commerce. John Call, Storm Lake City
Administrator, is also presenting.

John Bird, Emmetsburg City Administrator, will present at the Estherville
meeting on the Five Island Lake Restoration Project and its significance to
the Emmetsburg area.

The remaining three meetings are scheduled from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at
the following locations and dates:

October 23, 2003
Western Iowa Technical College
4647 Stone Avenue
PO Box 5199
Sioux City IA 51106
Building A, Room 920, Large Lecture Hall

October 30, 2003
Iowa Lakes Community College
300 South 18th Street
Estherville, IA 51344
Auditorium

November 5, 2003
Webster County Extension Office
Bank of America Building, Second Floor
108 South 8th Street
Fort Dodge, IA 50501

The general agenda for each session:

6:30 p.m.   Status of Water Quality and Water Quality Trends in Iowa
6:50 p.m.   Iowa's Nutrient Budget and Nutrients in Iowa's Waters
7:10 p.m. Iowa's Impaired Waters
7:30 p.m.   Break
7:40 p.m.   Local Water Quality Program
8:00 p.m.   Public Participation
9:00 p.m.   Adjourn

Those unable to attend the meetings or with further comments or questions
can contact [log in to unmask]

Questions on local project presentations can be directed to:
Sioux City: Gary Lalone, (712) 732-3780.
Estherville: John Bird, (712) 852-4030.

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