I spoke at the hearing last night, and the numbers ended up being about 3 to 1 opposed to the standard. I STRONGLY encourage people to attend the Mason City hearing April 1st - the DNR needs to know that this turnout is not representative of rural Iowans. I would be happy to help anyone with their comments. If you can't attend the hearing or aren't comfortable speaking at it, PLEASE send written comments to the DNR by April 8th - these will supposedly be weighed equally with oral comments when the department decides whether to amend the proposed rule. thanks! tarah heinzen Tarah Heinzen Sierra Club Conservation Organizer 3839 Merle Hay Road, Suite 280 Des Moines, IA 50310 (515) 251-3995 [log in to unmask] -----Original Message----- From: Iowa Discussion, Alerts and Announcements [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Debbie Neustadt Sent: Friday, March 12, 2004 5:43 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Urbandale Public Hearing Thanks for the report. The "sound science" argument is propaganda. Propaganda is a way of presenting your position that appeals to emotion and not fact and logic. The term sounds nice and catchy but it is meaningless. You either believe what science says or you do not. Sound Science in the context used at the hearing for me means "I will begin to believe you when I see dead bodies and until then I won't believe what you say because I will be losing money. If there are dead bodies, is saving them worth what I can gain ?" Bringing up the health of ones own children is very questionable. There are all sorts of studies that show the health affects of air pollution. I have not been in the fray and am puzzled by the "where to measure" issue. I understand that the further away from the source the less likely to exceed the standard. With the air pollutants that Iowa regulates now, the standard is at the property line. There may be something about the particulars of the chemical in question I don't understand; otherwise, this is so different from what is normally done as to be a blatant disregard for normal air regulations. I had to work last night so I am very grateful for the report. Maybe I will make it to the Mason City one. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 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 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 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