Environmental Services Division For Immediate Release Jan. 27, 2003 PUBLIC MEETINGS SET TO DISCUSS CHANGES IN WATER QUALITY STANDARDS AND RULES RELATING TO CONSTUCTION OF LIVESTOCK FACILITIES IN FLOODPLAINS A series of public meetings will be held throughout the state during the first two weeks of February regarding a change in Iowa's water quality standards relating to bacteria and proposed rules regarding construction of livestock facilities within floodplains. The proposed change for the water quality standards would base the bacteria standards on E.coli as the indicator bacteria used rather than fecal coliform bacteria and change the time period when the standards apply for waters designated for human contact. The Class A designation for waters used for human contact would be expanded to three sub-designations including Class A1 - Primary Contact Recreational Use, Class A2 - Secondary Contact Recreational Use and Class A3 - Children's Recreational Use. The switch to using E.coli as the indicator bacteria for the water quality standards is being proposed because it is considered a more accurate method of predicting pathogenic risk to humans than fecal coliform bacteria. Secondary recreational contact includes activities such as fishing, boating and any limited contact incidental to shoreline activities. The children's recreation includes any uses by children such as wading and splashing in small streams. Proposed rules relating to animal feeding operations would implement those sections of Senate File 2293, the livestock legislation passed last spring prohibiting confinement operations from being constructed in the 100-year floodplains of major water sources. Additional information on Iowa's Water Quality Standards can be found on the Department's web site at: http://www.state.ia.us/dnr/organiza/epd/wtresrce/wquality/index.htm. Any person may submit written suggestions or comments on the proposed water quality standards rule changes through Feb. 25, 2003. Such written material 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 to [log in to unmask] Persons who have questions may contact Ralph Turkle at (515) 281-7025. The formal Notice of Intended Action for flood plain rules relating to animal feeding operations is published in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin as ARC 2229B and can be found at: http://www.legis.state.ia.us/Rules/2003/Bulletin/ACB030108.html. Any interested person may make written suggestions or comments on the proposed flood plain and animal feeding operation amendments on or before Feb. 21, 2003. 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. For questions regarding these proposed changes, please feel free to contact Kelly at (515)-281-4312 or [log in to unmask] Persons are invited to present oral or written comments on either the Water Quality Standards (WQS) or floodplain/animal feeding operations (FP/AFO) rules at public hearings which will be held: Monday, Feb. 3, in the Municipal Utilities Conference room, 15 W. Third St., Atlantic. WQS: 1 p.m., FP/AFO: 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4, in the Iowa City Public Library meeting room 'A', 123 S. Linn St., Iowa City. WQS: 10 a.m., FP/AFO: 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4, in the Decorah City Hall meeting room, 400 Claiborne Drive, Decorah.. WQS: 7 p.m., FP/AFO: 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6, in the Cherokee Community Center, 530 W. Bluff St., Cherokee. WQS: 10 a.m., FP/AFO: 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 6, in the Clear Lake Community meeting room, 15 N. Sixth St., Clear Lake. WQS: 6:30 p.m., FP/AFO: 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7, in the Wallace State Office Building, 5th floor conference room, 900 East Grand Ave., Des Moines. WQS: 1 p.m., FP/AFO: 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, in the Garnavillo Community Center, 106 W. Niagara, Garnavillo. WQS (only): 7 p.m., no FP/AFO hearing. For more information, contact Kevin Baskins at (515) 281-8395. Kevin Baskins Iowa Department of Natural Resources (515) 281-8395 E-mail: [log in to unmask] - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To view the Sierra Club List Terms & Conditions, see: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/terms.asp