Sierrans: Yesterday afternoon the Working Group of 12 held a press conference at which they announced the elements of the CAFO plan they have proposed. All 12 were at the press conference, with Senate Majority Leader Iverson, and have agreed to the proposal, enthusiastically with one exception. The DM Register this morning carrries an article that outlines the proposal fairly well and accurately. The bill draft will be available to us at noon today, Friday. I have convened a group of the environmental lobby and representatives from a few other environmental, basically the coalition that meets weekly on Mondays at the IEC office. We will be going over the bill draft in detail today, and developing our strategy for the remainder of the session. At this time, what we know is very positive; we can be fairly enthusiastic in our approach toward what has been proposed. The producer groups and big operators are apoplectic in their chagrin at the proposal. CCI does not like it as it does not go far enough in local control for them. We will be looking carefully at that part too. NOTE: For a bit year, please be careful in any responses you make to it to press or public, while we finish our look at the details and get the information out to you. The momentum is on our side now, and we must nurture that carefully and fully. Thanks. This may turn out to be a pretty good year for the environment on this issue at least. Major elements are: Increased setbacks, and flood plain prohibition Permits fees and additonal staff Lower permit thresholds (animal units) Development of air quality monitoring and program Development of a Phosphorus standard and program Improved manure management plans Local Ścontrolą matrix, final decision at DNR More later. Lyle Krewson Sierra Club, Iowa lobbyist - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To get off the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask]