Please contact the Governor's office about this bill--ask him to veto it. On the final day of the Iowa Legislative Session, the House and Senate passed a bill (SF2377) that hamstrings the ability of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources in the permitting of livestock facilities. The bill would restrict the DNR from having discretion in permitting livestock facilities where DNR believes there is a risk of harm to natural resources or in vulnerable areas where pollution of our surface water or groundwater is likely to occur. Specifically, this bill: -- Takes away Iowa Department of Natural Resources authority to deny or modify a construction permit for a livestock facility that is likely to cause water pollution. --Prohibits the Iowa Department of Natural Resources from conducting an evaluation of a proposed livestock facility to determine if potential problems might exist at the site that could threaten water quality. --Limits the ability of the DNR to consider any aspects that are not specifically covered by statutory language. --Limits the ability of the DNR to use any sort of judgment about potential environmental impacts when reviewing construction applications or manure management plans. --Will nullify a rulemaking that provides broader authority for the Department to evaluate the construction of animal feeding operation if the Department feels it is warranted. --Kills the DNR's proposed 'Water-Protection' rule that spells out DNR's authority to deny or modify a factory farm construction permit or manure management plan in order to protect our water. We need you to contact the Governor this week! Ask Governor Vilsack to VETO Senate File 2377. Email Governor Vilsack at [log in to unmask] OR Email John Pederson, the Governor's Senate Legislative Director at [log in to unmask] Thank you for taking action! Posted by Jane Clark - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 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/