Please contact the Governor's office about this bill--ask him to veto it.

On the final day of the Iowa Legislative Session, the House and Senate
passed a bill (SF2377) that hamstrings the ability of the Iowa Department of
Natural Resources in the permitting of livestock facilities.   The bill
would restrict the DNR from having discretion in permitting livestock
facilities where DNR believes there is a risk of harm to natural resources
or in vulnerable areas where pollution of our surface water or groundwater
is likely to occur.

Specifically, this bill:
-- Takes away Iowa Department of Natural Resources authority to deny or
modify a construction permit for a livestock facility that is likely to
cause water pollution.
--Prohibits the Iowa Department of Natural Resources from conducting an
evaluation of a proposed livestock facility to determine if potential
problems might exist at the site that could threaten water quality.
--Limits the ability of the DNR to consider any aspects that are not
specifically covered by statutory language.
--Limits the ability of the DNR to use any sort of judgment about potential
environmental impacts when reviewing construction applications or manure
management plans.
 --Will nullify a rulemaking that provides broader authority for the
Department to evaluate the construction of animal feeding operation if the
Department feels it is warranted.
--Kills the DNR's proposed 'Water-Protection' rule that spells out DNR's
authority to deny or modify a factory farm construction permit or manure
management plan in order to protect our water.

We need you to contact the Governor this week!

Ask Governor Vilsack to VETO Senate File 2377.

Email Governor Vilsack at [log in to unmask]
OR
Email John Pederson, the Governor's Senate Legislative Director at
[log in to unmask]

Thank you for taking action!

Posted by Jane Clark

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