Lyle and Jane, I will write as many senators as I can, but look at the DM Register articles and Richard Leopold's quote. They seem to imply that the SEnate bill will not stand in the way, but will help. Jim Front page, below the fold: Published March 14, 2006 What's next The Iowa Senate is expected to consider Senate File 2363 early next week. That bill addresses water quality issues. The current version does not block the basic approach of new rules intended to protect Iowa rivers and streams for fishing, swimming and other recreation as required by the 1972 federal Clean Water Act. Read the latest version of the bill. "We are pleased," said Jeff Vonk, director of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. "It's a huge step forward for the state of Iowa." Vonk noted that state loans are available for some of the work. In some cases, the state may decide improvements are too costly to warrant the work, Vonk said. Richard Leopold, director of the nonprofit Iowa Environmental Council, applauded the new rules. He said a related legislative bill, Senate File 2363, does not appear to block the limits. Instead, it seeks to help cities comply without excess cost. ________________________________ From: Iowa Discussion, Alerts and Announcements on behalf of Jane Clark Sent: Wed 3/15/2006 9:47 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: please clarify Water Quality Alert < Take Action Now Jim--the confusion comes from the fact that DNR's water quality standards RULES went before the 10-member Legislative Administrative Rules Review Committee (ARRC) Monday, and those Legislators on the ARRC let these new DNR rules stand. However, there is also a BILL (SF 2363) before the entire Legislative body that could be harmful to the implementation of DNR's rules on water quality standards, it confuses the issue, delays the process--and it is unnecessary. Jane Clark ----- Original Message ----- From: "Redmond, Jim" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Tuesday, March 14, 2006 2:54 PM Subject: Re: please clarify Water Quality Alert < Take Action Now Is SF2363 innocuous, harmful, or helpful. Today's messages point in different directions. Jim -----Original Message----- From: Lyle Krewson, Sierra Club Chapter Lobbyist Environmentalists win Round One! Water Quality Rules approved by Administrative Rules Review Committee. Next Action Needed! Email or call your Senator now. Ask them to vote "No" on SF 2363 the Water Quality Standards bill. Tell them you do not need this legislation, you want them to allow the Water Quality Standards rules promulgated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to take effect as approved by the Administrative Rules Review Committee earlier this week. Those rules bring Iowa into compliance with the federal Clean Water Act for the first time in 30 years...one of the final 5-6 states to come into compliance. This water quality bill is the big issue of the 2006 Session for Sierra Club! It's the issue you have been reading about in the Iowa Sierran newsletter, which is now also posted on our website at http://iowa.sierraclub.org and in the Des Moines Register and other Iowa papers, in the recent months. Emphasize that you want Iowa to be in compliance with good water quality standards as enforced by the federal EPA. The rules do that. Remind them that you and your children want clean streams and lakes for recreation, quality of life, and for drinking water sources. The rules set that into motion. So, email or call them now, tell them we do not need this legislation, and that we need to allow the rules promulgated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to take effect as passed. No legislative action should impede the implementation. That is the central message. Tell them you support a funding mechanism, state grants and loans, to assist communities in attaining compliance with their waste water treatment systems. You want progress soon! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To get off the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask] - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To get off the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask]