FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: 12 April 2002 Elizabeth Horton Plasket, 515.244.1194 Lyle Krewson, 515.276.8947 Amber Hard, 515.314.4273 Erin Jordahl, 515.288.3949 Lana Ross, 515.283.1996 Aaron Heley Lehman, 515.291.2656 Judie Hoffman, 515.292.2660 Landmark livestock legislation passes Iowa House DES MOINES - The Iowa House of Representatives passed the livestock bill today. With the governor's signature, Iowa will adopt some of the most comprehensive environmental regulations in the U.S. for confined animal feeding operations. A public interest coalition of environmental, health, spiritual and farm groups hails the legislation as a significant achievement. "With this legislation, Iowa again assumes its place as an innovative agricultural leader in the United States-protecting the long-term sustainability of both the livestock industry and the environment," said Elizabeth Horton Plasket, Executive Director of the Iowa Environmental Council. "The future generations of Iowa are the real winners with this legislation," she said. The coalition views the legislation as good for Iowa's valuable livestock industry. "It's important to understand that this legislation will help grow a livestock industry that is responsible and accountable to the environment and to the people of Iowa," said Lyle Krewson, Sierra Club lobbyist. "We've got a long way to go to make that a reality, but we've turned a corner and we're now headed in the right direction. This is progress," he said. The bill's significance also signals some key changes in the Iowa political landscape. "Over the course of the debate, our coalition has worked hard and emerged as a significant force for the environment and a powerful voice for the interests of all Iowans," said Horton Plasket. "When the public interest has a presence in government-instead of just the special interests-good things start to happen," she said. "This bill represents months of hard work by the legislators, lobbyists, and staff. All Iowans can be proud of the results," said Amber Hard, Advocate with Iowa Public Interest Research Group. "While not a silver bullet that solves all of Iowa's air and water quality problems, it is a useful tool to help continue the fight for real progress," she said. The bill's key strengths include: . A phosphorus standard for manure management. Phosphorus is one of the leading causes of water quality problems in Iowa. . Greater siting setbacks and more DNR authority on siting near Iowa's most valuable and vulnerable waters, including drinking water sources, trout streams, and other important water bodies. . Adequate funding for oversight and enforcement through an annual fee based on the size of the permitted facility. . A lower permit threshold size to prevent operations from being constructed just small enough to escape state regulation. "We are pleased with many parts of the bill," says Erin Jordahl, Director, Sierra Club Iowa Chapter. "We've started Iowa on a path to cleaner air and water. While the bill is just the start, it's a step in the right direction." While the compromise bill enjoyed broad support, two issues promise to remain contentious in the state: air quality and local control. A four-hour debate in the House showed the concern over the issue of local control. An amendment to give counties explicit control of livestock operation siting was offered by Rep. David Schrader, Democrat from Monroe. The House discussed and debated the issue for nearly four hours today, before defeating the amendment 57 to 38. "The legislation gives local input, but not true local control. Local governments have only limited power over these industrial livestock operations in their own back yards," said Lana Ross, Justice Advocate of the Iowa Conference of the United Methodist Church. The issue of local control of livestock facilities will remain on the front burner of Iowa politics over the summer. "This bill will not quell the anger neighbor's feel over their lack of real power. I imagine counties will continue to fight this battle to ensure they have a vital role in the environmental and health protections of their local communities," said Aaron Heley Lehman, Legislative Director for the Iowa Farmers Union. The implementation schedule of the regulations was also a compromise element for the public interest coalition. Many of the changes won't go into effect until March of next year. "It's unfortunate to give industrial livestock companies nearly a year to build facilities that won't meet the new environmental requirements. Why should it be okay to build near a trout stream or residential development now, but not next March?" said Judie Hoffman, with the League of Women Voters of Iowa. "Clearly, some organizations still have a lot of power to delay Iowa's environmental and health regulations," she said. Praise for those involved in crafting the legislation comes from all parts of the public interest coalition. "The Iowa Environmental Council-and the public interest coalition of which we are a part-would like to commend for their diligence and persistence the legislators who have worked so hard on this bill," said Horton Plasket. "We recognize the courage it took on many fronts to withstand the pressures of powerful special interests in order to produce a bill that is in the best interest of all Iowans." The bill now goes to the governor, who has given every indication that he will sign it. "We look forward to seeing the governor enact this important legislation," said Horton Plasket. "With the tools in this law, and continued diligence and hard work, the Iowa Environmental Council-and our coalition of health, environmental, and public interest organizations-looks forward to achieving real progress in protecting Iowa's natural wealth and beauty, and ensuring the continued health and prosperity of her people." - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - For SC email list T-and-C, send: GET TERMS-AND-CONDITIONS.CURRENT to [log in to unmask]