Here is Governor Vilsack's press release on SF 343 Senate File 343, an Act relating to operation permits for public disposal systems and providing an effective date. I am unable to approve Senate File 343, which would exempt publicly owned wastewater treatment facilities from obtaining or complying with National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permits in response to a change by the Environmental Protection Commission in the use designation of a cold water stream receiving the discharge of the disposal system until the Commission adopts by rule methods for the review of use designations of cold water streams. I have several concerns with this bill. First, it states that a publicly owned treatment works does not have to obtain a permit under certain conditions. Both existing state and federal law require that these permits be issued to these treatment works. The state cannot, by statute or rule, create a situation where unauthorized discharges are allowed. To legislate in this manner would unduly jeopardize the permitting authority currently delegated to the state by an agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Second, this bill is aimed at only cold water streams and not streams with other classifications. Legislation related to the operation of public disposal systems should address all public disposal systems, not just those that discharge to cold water streams. Third, Senate File 343 is an attempt to address the problem of stream classification faced by a specific city. The legislation is now unnecessary because of steps being taken by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). DNR is currently working on a scientifically sound system of reclassifying the use designations of streams in Iowa. The Department is doing this work using a technical advisory committee of experts, affected industries and public entities. The DNR's approach more comprehensively and appropriately addresses the problem that the bill attempts to address. Furthermore, DNR has agreed to grant the city in question a permit under the existing system, with DNR reserving the right to review the permit if classifications are changed in the future. I have made it a priority to protect and improve the water quality of our rivers, lakes and streams. In my Condition of the State address this year, I made it part of my Leadership Agenda to eliminate the state's impaired waterways by 2010. Later this year, we will hold a Water Quality Summit to bring stakeholders together to start taking important steps to better protect our water resources. Protecting our water resources ensures that Iowans have safe drinking water as well as recreational and tourism opportunities that we cherish. This bill is unnecessary and contradicts our goal of protecting Iowa's waterways and water resources. Lyle Krewson wrote: >ALERT! > >The Governor's Office just called me to say that the Governor had, this >afternoon, vetoed SF 343, the Garnovillo Bill. Hooray for Vilsack! > >Please, especially if you wrote him about it before, write a note or email >to say Thanks! > >Lyle Krewson >Sierra Club >Chapter Lobbyist > >- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - >To get off the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: >[log in to unmask] > > > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To view the Sierra Club List Terms & Conditions, see: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/terms.asp