Iowa Department of Natural Resources May 17, 2007 For immediate release 1. DNR launches database offering stream use assessment reports 2. Watershed Quality Planning Task Force to meet May 24; meeting open to public DNR LAUNCHES DATABASE OFFERING STREAM USE ASSESSMENT REPORTS MEDIA CONTACT: Adam Schnieders at (515) 281-7409. DES MOINES - As the DNR assesses Iowa streams in an effort to bring Iowa's water quality standards towards compliance with the federal Clean Water Act, it is posting reports in a new online database. The database, located on the DNR Web site at www.iowadnr.gov/water/uaa.html<http://www.iowadnr.gov/water/uaa.html>, offers maps, proposed use designations and other information on selected streams and stream segments throughout the state. Streams are added to the database as fieldwork is completed and information becomes available. "Use designations are one part of our state's water quality standards. They categorize water bodies by what's capable of happening in the stream - recreation, a home for aquatic life, or both," said Adam Schnieders, a DNR environmental specialist working on the reports. The database houses reports, called Use Assessment and Use Attainability Analyses (UA/UAA), that are part of the DNR's step-by-step process to gather site-specific field data on stream features and uses. Under new water quality rules, the DNR presumes that all perennial streams and rivers, or those that flow year-round, should receive the highest designations for recreational and aquatic life uses. "Assuming that all our streams should be protected for swimming and fishing places a high value on our streams. It also ensures the safety of Iowans that use our streams, and the aquatic life that live in our streams," said Rich Leopold, director of the DNR. "Assessing these streams is in the best interest of our citizens, our natural resources and our state's infrastructure." After completing field assessments, the DNR reviews available information to determine if the "presumed" recreational and aquatic life uses are appropriate for individual streams. It then prepares the UA/UAA report and places it in the database, where it is available for public viewing. Reports will be added to the database throughout 2007. Information is currently available for about 40 streams, including: a.. Wapsinonoc Creek (Muscatine County) b.. Yankee Run (Clinton,Cedar counties) c.. Sugar Creek (Poweshiek, Jasper counties) d.. Linn Creek (Marshall County) e.. Mill Creek (Johnson County) f.. Brush Creek (Henry, Jefferson counties) g.. Beaver Creek (Polk, Boone counties) h.. Middle Fork Grand River (Ringgold County) i.. The Winnebago River j.. The Skunk River Writer: Jessie Brown # # # WATERSHED QUALITY PLANNING TASK FORCE TO MEET MAY 24; MEETING OPEN TO PUBLIC<> MEDIA CONTACT: Sharon Tahtinen at (515) 281-7066. DES MOINES - A committee appointed by the Iowa Legislature to discuss a voluntary statewide water quality program has set a meeting for Thursday, May 24 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Watershed Quality Planning Task Force will meet at the Metro Waste Authority, 300 E. Locust St., #100, in Des Moines. Additional information is available on the DNR Web site at www.iowadnr.gov/water/taskforce/<http://www.iowadnr.gov/water/taskforce/> The Iowa Legislature called for creation of the committee during the last session. Specifically, the legislature is asking the committee to develop a report containing recommendations on the following issues: a.. Improving water quality b.. Creating economic incentives for environmental compliance c.. Facilitating implementation efforts d.. Developing quantifiable protocols and procedures e.. Providing greater flexibility through community-based, non-regulatory, performance-driven watershed management planning. The committee is comprised of representatives from both houses and both parties of the Legislature, Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities, Iowa League of Cities, Iowa Association of Business and Industry, Iowa Water Pollution Control Association, Iowa Rural Water Association, Growing Green Communities, Iowa Environmental Council, Iowa Farm Bureau, Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Soybean Association, Iowa Pork Producers Association, Soil and Water Conservation Districts of Iowa, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the Iowa Conservation Alliance. The committee meeting is open to the public. Writer: Jessie Brown # # # - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 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 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/