IOWA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES March 1, 2007 For immediate release 1. DNR encourages safe, proper disposal of tree debris following storms 2. City of Fairfield bypasses wastewater following rainstorm 3. DNR enforcement actions DNR ENCOURAGES SAFE, PROPER DISPOSAL OF TREE DEBRIS FOLLOWING STORMS MEDIA CONTACT: Kathy Lee, (515) 725-0384. DES MOINES - Following damage from winter storms, the DNR is encouraging Iowans to properly and safely dispose of tree debris. Residents should contact local city officials to find out how to handle storm debris in their community. Cities need to be aware of regulations regarding disposal of tree debris. While chipping trees and using tree trimmings for habitat are the most environmentally friendly methods of disposal, cities and other governmental entities may burn trees and tree trimmings only if they follow state rules. According to Iowa Administrative Code: * The burn site must be operated by a local governmental entity. * The burning site is fenced and access is controlled. * Burning is conducted on a regularly scheduled basis and is supervised at all times. * Burning is conducted only when weather conditions are favorable with respect to surrounding property. * The burning site is limited to areas at least one-quarter mile from any inhabited building. Multiple burns of smaller piles are preferable over one large burn pile. Burning should be conducted so that each burn is completed within a 24-hour period. "In the past, burn piles have smoldered for weeks or months creating public health concerns for downwind residents," said Kathy Lee, an environmental specialist with the DNR. "We want to ensure that our cities are able to clean up storm debris quickly, but do it in such a way to protect our environment and our citizens' health." If the open burning of trees and tree trimmings causes air pollution as defined in Iowa Code Section 455B.131(3), the DNR may take appropriate action to secure relocations of the burning operation. In addition, rubber tires may not be used to ignite trees and tree trimmings. Trees and tree trimmings can not be disposed of at sanitary landfills. If you have questions technical assistance is available from each of the DNR's regional field offices: Manchester: 563-927-2640 Mason City: 641-424-4073 Spencer: 712-262-4177 Atlantic: 712-243-1934 Des Moines: 515-725-0268 Washington: 319-653-2135 # # # CITY OF FAIRFIELD BYPASSES WASTEWATER FOLLOWING RAINSTORM MEDIA CONTACT: Brent Earley, (319) 653-2135 FAIRFIELD - Heavy rains led the City of Fairfield to bypass about 20,000 gallons of wastewater early Thursday morning. A lift station of the southwest side of Fairfield could not keep up with the rainfall. As a result, two manholes bypassed wastewater to an unnamed tributary of Cedar Creek. The city discovered the bypass around 2 a.m. and stopped the bypass by 4:30 a.m. The city is working to update the lift station to reduce the number of bypasses in the future and plans to finish the project by August 31. # # # DNR ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS MEDIA CONTACT: Jessie Brown at (515) 281-5131. DES MOINES - The DNR took the following enforcement actions in February 2007, unless otherwise noted. The following are only briefs; please contact Jessie Brown of the DNR for more information at (515) 281-5131. Enforcement actions, including copies of the original orders and contact information, are now available on the DNR's Web site at www.iowadnr.gov/legal/eactions.html. The web listing will begin with orders taken in 2007. Consent Orders A consent order is issued in settlement of an administrative order or as an alternative to issuing an administrative order. A consent order indicates that the DNR has voluntarily entered into a legally enforceable agreement with the other party. Dubuque County * Michael and Karen Schieltz, of New Vienna, agreed in a consent order to submit a plan of action on how manure from their animal feeding operation will be prevented from flowing into a stream, submit an application for a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, and to pay a $4,000 penalty and $9,000 in fish restitution. The consent order is in regard to a manure release and fish kill in the North Fork Maquoketa River. Fremont County * The City of Hamburg agreed in a consent order to comply with an implementation schedule to rehabilitate its existing wastewater lagoon system and add a fourth lagoon cell. The city agreed to pay stipulated penalties if it does not meet the compliance schedule. The consent order is in regard to wastewater violations. Grundy, Hardin Counties * Injectsom, LLC, of Grundy Center, agreed in a consent order to pay a $4,000 penalty. The consent order is in regard to the use of a non-certified manure applicator at a site in Hardin County. Jasper County * J & V Van Gorp, Inc., of Newton, agreed in a consent order to cease unpermitted discharges of animal waste solids, submit a plan of action for the improvement and maintenance of manure controls at its facility, maintain the manure controls, and pay a $3,000 penalty and $907.73 in fish restitution. The consent order is in regard to a manure release and fish kill in an unnamed tributary of the North Skunk River. Warren County * Loving Rest, LLC, of Indianola, agreed in a consent order to operate equipment to minimize air emissions, comply with opacity limits, record daily observations of emissions, and pay a $5,000 penalty. The consent order is in regard to air quality violations. -30- 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 unsubscribe from the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask] Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp