note from Erin: I have already sent out messages related to the proposed
changes to water quality standards, but please note the proposed rules
related to CAFOs in floodplains, too.
Erin E. Jordahl
Director, Iowa Chapter Sierra Club
3839 Merle Hay Road, Suite 280
Des Moines, IA 50310
515-277-8868
[log in to unmask]
Iowa Environmental Council Action Alert
Issue #1: Improvements to Iowa's Water Quality Standards - Comments needed by
Tuesday February 25th
Issue #2: Prohibiting livestock confinement from locating in the 100-year
floodplains - Comments needed by Friday February 21st
Issue #1: Water Quality Standards
Comment deadline: Feb 25
Public Meetings Scheduled in February
The Department of Natural Resources is accepting comments until February 25
on proposed revisions to Iowa's water quality standards.
Of particular concern to the Council, are proposed changes that will
strengthen water quality protections by establishing bacteria standards for
many rivers, streams, and lakes that do not currently receive recreational
use protections.
The proposed rule changes also include upgrading a one-mile section of South
Cedar Creek in Clayton County from "General Use" to "Class B Cold Water."
This change will likely require the City of Garnavillo to upgrade its
wastewater treatment plant that currently discharges into South Cedar Creek.
An information sheet with details of the proposed rule changes is available
on the DNR website at <
http://www.state.ia.us/dnr/organiza/epd/wtresrce/wquality/file/phase3info.pdf>
. A copy of the notice of intended action is available at <
http://www.state.ia.us/dnr/organiza/epd/wtresrce/wquality/files/phase2noia.pdf
>
.
The DNR has scheduled seven public meetings. See below for schedule and
location information.
The Council's Position
The Iowa Environmental Council is supporting the proposed rule changes and
encourages all Iowans to review these proposed rules and provide your
comments to DNR.
The expansion of recreational classes from the current single Class A, to
three separate classes-A1, A2, and A3-helps ensure all waters that are used
for some degree of recreation (swimming, boating, wading, etc.) are properly
designated and protected.
The establishment of a numeric bacteria standard based on E coli is an
important change because such a standard is more accurate than Iowa's current
bacteria standard based on fecal coliform. In addition, the E coli bacteria
standard is recommended by the EPA and is commonly used around the country.
The upgrading of South Cedar Creek and the expansion of recreational use
protections will require additional investments from many wastewater
treatment plants. So public support for these changes is critical.
If you have questions or would like help writing your comments on the Water
Quality Standards, contact Susan Heathcote at the Council at 515/244.1194 or
email to <[log in to unmask]>.
Contact Steve Veysey for more information on the South Cedar Creek
redesignation at <[log in to unmask]> or 515/294-5805.
If you have questions for DNR, contact Ralph Turkle at 515/281-7025 or <
[log in to unmask]>.
Comments on the proposed water quality standards rule changes should be
submitted to Ralph Turkle, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Wallace
State Office Building, 900 East Grand, Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0034, FAX
515/281-8895 or by email <[log in to unmask]>.
Sample Letter
<Date>
Ralph Turkle
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Wallace State Office Building
900 E. Grand
Des Moines, IA 50319-0034
Mr. Turkle;
I am writing in support of the proposed rule changes to Iowa's Water Quality
Standards.
The development of new classes of recreational waters reflects the reality of
water recreation uses in Iowa, and I welcome the expansion of recreational
classes from the single Class A designation to the three-levels of
sub-designation: Class A1-Primary Contact Recreational Use, Class
A2-Secondary Contact Recreational Use, and Class A3-Children's Play
Recreational Use. It is important that all the water bodies where citizens
come into recreational contact with the water enjoy the bacteria protections
of these new recreational use designations.
I strongly urge the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to adopt the new
recreational water use designations and the water quality protections they
bring.
The establishment of numeric criteria for bacteria using E. coli rather than
fecal coliform is also an important improvement for Iowa's Water Quality
Standards. Not only does this change reflect the national methods and
criterion used for bacteria standards, it will make bacteria testing and
reporting more accurate and potentially easier for the general public to
understand.
I strongly urge the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to establish numeric
bacteria standards based on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
recommendations for E. coli criteria.
Finally, South Cedar Creek in Clayton County-a cold water trout stream-is a
valuable natural resource belonging to all of the people of Iowa. The upper
portion of this stream deserves to be properly designated as a cold water
stream and enjoy the pollution protections such a designation brings.
I strongly urge the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to upgrade the
designation of the upper reaches of South Cedar Creek to Class B(CW) Cold
Water stream.
Thank you for this opportunity to register my opinions.
Sincerely,
<YOUR NAME>
Issue #2: CAFO construction ban in 100-year floodplain
Comment deadline: Feb 21
Public Meetings Scheduled in February
A key provision of the Livestock Law passed last year was the ban on
construction of confined animal feeding operations in 100-year floodplains of
major water resources. The Council has been working for such a ban for
several years.
The DNR is seeking public comments on the proposed rules implementing such a
ban, and the Council encourages members to weigh in supporting the rules.
For a copy of the Notice of Intended Action, visit <
http://www.legis.state.ia.us/Rules/2003/Bulletin/ACB030108.html>.
The public may make written suggestions or comments on the proposed flood
plain and animal feeding operation amendments on or before Feb. 21. Written
comments should be directed to:
Kelly Stone
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Wallace State Office Building
502 E. 9th St.
Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0034
If you have questions or would like help writing your comments on the
100-year floodplain ban on CAFO construction, contact Susan Heathcote at the
Council at 515/244.1194 or email to <[log in to unmask]>.
For questions regarding the proposed rule changes, please contact Kelly at
515/281-4312 or <[log in to unmask]>.
Public Meeting Schedule for Both Issues
Public meetings to discuss the Water Quality Standards (WQS) rules changes
will be held in conjunction with public meetings to discuss new rules for
prohibiting confinement operations from being constructed in the 100-year
floodplains (FP) of major water sources.
The public meetings will be held at the following locations:
… Monday, Feb. 3, Municipal Utilities Conference room, 15 W. Third St.,
Atlantic. WQS (Water Quality Standards): 1 p.m., FP (Floodplain ban): 2:30
p.m.
… Tuesday, Feb. 4, Iowa City Public Library meeting room 'A', 123 S. Linn
St., Iowa City. WQS: 10 a.m., FP: 11:30 a.m.
… Tuesday, Feb. 4, Decorah City Hall meeting room, 400 Claiborne Drive,
Decorah.. WQS: 7 p.m., FP: 8 p.m.
… Thursday, Feb. 6, Cherokee Community Center, 530 W. Bluff St., Cherokee.
WQS: 10 a.m., FP: 11:30 a.m.
… Thursday, Feb. 6, Clear Lake Community meeting room, 15 N. Sixth St., Clear
Lake. WQS: 6:30 p.m., FP: 8 p.m.
… Friday, Feb. 7, Wallace State Office Building, 5th floor conference room,
900 East Grand Ave., Des Moines. WQS: 1 p.m., FP: 2:30 p.m.
… Tuesday, Feb. 11, Garnavillo Community Center, 106 W. Niagara, Garnavillo.
WQS: 7 p.m., no FP hearing at this site.
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