We are encouraging our members to oppose legislation that would exempt livestock operations from the requirements of the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA). We also request that you encourage Sen. Tom Harkin to actively oppose such exemptions by signing on to a Dear Colleague letter being circulated by Senators Boxer and Feinstein. Legislation that exempts mismanaged animal manure from CERCLA and EPCRA is contrary to the interests of Iowa and should not be adopted. The Des Moines Water Works has the largest nitrate removal facility in the world, in part due to livestock waste, which costs $3,000 a day to operate. It is unfair for city residents to have to pay the cost to clean up water that is polluted by irresponsible operations. Furthermore, CERCLA is the only federal statute that allows for state and local governments to recover cleanup costs from parties responsible for contamination of drinking and surface water supplies as well as other environmental resources. Protecting the health of Iowa’s citizen’s and their environment is one of our chapter’s priorities and National supports this position. Please encourage Sen. Harkin to sign on to Senators Boxer’s and Feinstein’s Dear Colleague letter. You can reach Sen. Harkin at 731 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC, 20510; at (202) 224-3254 in Washington, 515-284-4574 in Des Moines, 319-365-4504 in Cedar Rapids, 563-322-1338 in Davenport, 563-582-2130 in Dubuque or 712-252-1550 in Sioux City or via the web at harkin.senate.gov/contact/contact.cfm. Neila Seaman, MPA Director Sierra Club, Iowa Chapter 3839 Merle Hay Road, Suite 280 Des Moines, IA 50310 [log in to unmask] 515-277-8868 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To get off the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask]