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. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To view the Sierra Club List Terms & Conditions, see: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/terms.asp