This is an I-CALL Action Alert to oppose House File 805 and Senate File 372 concerning the regulation of open feedlots. These bills are unnecessary at best. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is in the final phase of their rule-making process dealing with the same issues addressed in this bill. Some special interest groups don't like the new DNR rules, and therefore want to legislate their own. This is a bad idea! Within this rule-making process, groups such as the Iowa Environmental Council, the Iowa Cattleman's Association, and many others have the opportunity for public comment. The resulting rules will take into account all stakeholder issues, while conforming to applicable state and federal requirements. Although not a perfect process, it is one that works well most of the time. There are many technical concerns that would need to be addressed to make this legislation acceptable. And if these changes were made, these bills would be the same as the soon-to-be-adopted rules! These bills as currently written inhibit the ability of the state of Iowa to protect its natural resources and public waters. Our concerns relate to the protection of groundwater, monitoring of unproven alternative technologies, prohibition of floodplain development, and mechanical lowering of groundwater (especially in the case of new or expanding facilities). The Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the federal Environmental Protection Agency also have grave concerns with parts of these bills. Please contact you state senator and representative and tell them this is a bad fix to a non-problem; let the open and participatory rule-making process within the DNR do its job! Please call or e-mail your Iowa legislators this week and ask them to oppose these bills. Senate: (515)281-3371 House: (515)281-3221 To find the names of your senators and representatives, go to: <www4.legis.state.ia.us/find-leg/> Thank you for taking action! Lynn Laws I-CALL Coordinator - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Sign up to receive Sierra Club Insider, the flagship e-newsletter. Sent out twice a month, it features the Club's latest news and activities. Subscribe and view recent editions at http://www.sierraclub.org/insider/