This is an I-CALL Action Alert to oppose House File 805 and Senate File 372
concerning the regulation of open feedlots.

These bills are unnecessary at best. The Iowa Department of Natural
Resources is in the final phase of their rule-making process dealing with
the same issues addressed in this bill. Some special interest groups don't
like the new DNR rules, and therefore want to legislate their own. This is a
bad idea!

Within this rule-making process, groups such as the Iowa Environmental
Council, the Iowa Cattleman's Association, and many others have the
opportunity for public comment. The resulting rules will take into account
all stakeholder issues, while conforming to applicable state and federal
requirements. Although not a perfect process, it is one that works well most
of the time.

There are many technical concerns that would need to be addressed to make
this legislation acceptable. And if these changes were made, these bills
would be the same as the soon-to-be-adopted rules!

These bills as currently written inhibit the ability of the state of Iowa to
protect its natural resources and public waters.  Our concerns relate to the
protection of groundwater, monitoring of unproven alternative technologies,
prohibition of floodplain development, and mechanical lowering of
groundwater (especially in the case of new or expanding facilities).

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the federal Environmental
Protection Agency also have grave concerns with parts of these bills. Please
contact you state senator and representative and tell them this is a bad fix
to a non-problem; let the open and participatory rule-making process within
the DNR do its job!

Please call or e-mail your Iowa legislators this week and ask them to oppose
these bills.

Senate: (515)281-3371
House: (515)281-3221

To find the names of your senators and representatives, go to:
<www4.legis.state.ia.us/find-leg/>

Thank you for taking action!

Lynn Laws
I-CALL Coordinator

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Sign up to receive Sierra Club Insider, the flagship
e-newsletter. Sent out twice a month, it features the Club's
latest news and activities. Subscribe and view recent
editions at http://www.sierraclub.org/insider/