The DNR is holding three more public hearings to get input on their proposed hydrogen sulfide standard for factory farm emissions. The industry was out in droves opposing the standard at the first two, and we need our voices to be heard! If you can attend your nearest hearing to speak in support of the 15 part per billion one-hour average public health standard for hydrogen sulfide, great! If not, the DNR is accepting written comments until April 8th and they can be sent to the addresses below. Hearings: Mason City, today, 6 p.m. in the public library, 225 2nd Street SE Davenport, Monday March 8, 6:30 p.m. in the public library, 321 Main Street Urbandale, Thursday March 11, 7 p.m. in the public library, 3520 86th Street Written comments can be sent to all of the following: Director Jeffrey Vonk Wallace Building 502 E 9th Street Des Moines, IA 50319 Bryan Bunton DNR Air Quality Bureau 7900 Hickman Road Suite 1 Urbandale, IA 50322 Office of the Governor State Capitol Des Moines, IA 50319 Wayne Gieselman Wallace Building 502 E 9th Street Des Moines, IA 50319 The points we want to get across: · Main message: I support the proposed hydrogen sulfide standard of 15 parts per billion (one-hour average) that was recommended in the Joint University study. This standard will be protective of public health, and there is no reason to back off from the recommendations of this study. · Iowa also needs standards for ammonia and odors from factory farms, as recommended in the Joint University study. · This standard would help, not hurt, Iowa’s family farmers. Responsible family farmers will not be the target of the DNR’s air quality monitoring efforts, because there is no reason to believe their operations would violate the standard or pose a threat to public health. Please call or email me with any questions or for more information! Thanks, Tarah Heinzen Sierra Club Conservation Organizer 3839 Merle Hay Road, Suite 280 Des Moines, IA 50310 (515) 251-3995 [log in to unmask] - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Make your voice heard! Find out how to get Take Action Alerts and other important Sierra Club messages by email at: http://www.sierraclub.org/email