IOWA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
August 30, 2007
For immediate release
1. Storm water, analysis of manure on soybeans and recreational use
of waters on EPC agenda
2. September 11 pasture walk to highlight Loess Hills grassbank
3. New rules proposed to control air quality at grain elevators
STORM WATER, ANALYSIS OF MANURE ON SOYBEANS AND RECREATIONAL USE OF
WATERS ON EPC AGENDA
MEDIA CONTACT: Karen Grimes at (515) 281-5135.
DES MOINES - The Environmental Protection Commission will learn about
storm water, discuss procedures regarding recreational uses of Iowa
rivers and streams, and consider a proposed rule limiting liquid manure
application at the Sept. 4 meeting.
The meeting opens at 10 a.m., followed by a presentation from David
Osterberg of the Iowa Policy Group on “Managing Iowa Storm Water for
Quantity and Quality.”
In other action, commissioners will be asked to approve a proposal that
formalizes the data collection procedure used to assess recreational
uses for Iowa waters. These uses are considered when pollutant limits
are established for industrial and municipal discharges.
Commissioners will also be asked to approve publishing and collecting
public comments on a regulatory analysis of the impact of a proposed
rule. The rule would limit the application of liquid manure on ground
that is planned for or growing soybeans.
Public comments are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. The meeting will be held
at the DNR Air Quality Building, 7900 Hickman Road, in Urbandale.
There are three appointments scheduled for the afternoon to discuss
referrals to the Attorney General. Creston Bean Processing has an
appointment at 1:30 p.m. followed by Matrix Metals at 2:30 p.m.
Siouxland Energy and Livestock Cooperative has the third appointment at
3:30 p.m.
The full agenda is as follows:
* Approval of Agenda
* Approval of Minutes
* Director’s Remarks
* Budget Overview
* Budget Request for FY 2009
* Solid Waste Alternatives Program - Recommendations
* Proposed Rule - Amend IAC 567 Chapter 213 “Packaging Heavy
Metal Content”
* Final Rule - Chapter 28, Update to Ambient Air Quality Standards
* Final Rule - Chapters 103.3, 104.26, 112.31, 114.31, 115.31,
118.16, 120.13, 121.8, 122.28, 122.29 and 123.12 & to amend rules
105.14, 106.18 - Financial Assurance Requirements
* Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund - FY
2008 Intended Use Plans Second Quarter Updates
* Referrals to the Attorney General
a) Siouxland Energy and Livestock Cooperative (Sioux Center) - Air
Quality
b) Creston Bean Processing, L.L.C. (Creston) - Air Quality
c) Matrix Metals LLC, dba Keokuk Steel Castings Co. (Keokuk) - Air
Quality
* Notice of Intended Action - Regulatory Analysis: Chapter
65-Subrules prohibiting liquid manure/settled open feedlot effluent
application to soybeans
* Notice of Intended Action - UAA’s: Recreational Use protocol
* Monthly Reports
UAA update
* General Discussion
Next Meeting: Monday, October 1 - Des Moines
* Items for next month's meeting
More information about the agenda items can be found on the DNR Web
site under Commissions and Boards at www.iowadnr.gov.
The members of the commission are Darrell Hanson, chair, Manchester;
Mary Gail Scott, vice chair, Cedar Rapids; Suzanne Morrow, secretary,
Storm Lake; Charlotte Hubbell, Des Moines; Henry Marquard, Muscatine;
David Petty, Eldora; Ralph Klemme, LeMars; Susan Heathcote, Des Moines;
and Paul Johnson, Decorah. The director of the DNR is Richard Leopold.
Writer: Karen Grimes
# # #
SEPTEMBER 11 PASTURE WALK TO HIGHLIGHT LOESS HILLS GRASSBANK
MEDIA CONTACT: Austin Sewell at (712) 792-6248.
PISGAH -- Cattle producers in the Loess Hills area are invited to
attend a pasture walk Sept. 11, highlighting the second year of the
Loess Hills Grassbank project.
Near Pisgah, the Loess Hills Grassbank allows local cattle producers to
graze their herds on leased grassbank land while making renovations to
their own pastureland. Cattle producers from Dunlap and Magnolia have
herds on approximately 160 acres of DNR land near Pisgah which is
allocated to the grassbank this year.
During the pasture walk, producers may learn details on how the
grassbank can be used, and the importance of grazing to biodiversity and
environmental conservation. They will also learn about cost-share
opportunities for grazing and pasture improvements or restorations.
Other topics to be covered include grazing native grasses and managing
grazing for multiple objectives, such as agricultural production and
wildlife conservation.
Guest speakers will be experts in grazing and wildlife management.
The pasture walk will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by a supper provided
by Community Bank of west central Iowa. The event will conclude by 7:30
p.m.
The grassbank is located two miles south of Pisgah on State Highway
183. Signs will be posted.
Development of the Loess Hills Grassbank is funded by a grant from the
Natural Resources Conservation Service and is administered by the Loess
Hills Alliance and Agren, Inc., a private consulting firm based in
Carroll.
For more information, contact Austin Sewell, Agren’s Grazing
Specialist, at 712-792-6248 or by e-mail at [log in to unmask]
Writer: Karen Grimes
# # #
NEW RULES PROPOSED TO CONTROL AIR QUALITY AT GRAIN ELEVATORS
MEDIA CONTACT: Jim McGraw, Environmental Program Supervisor, (515)
242-5167
DES MOINES - New rules that would assist grain elevators in complying
with air regulations and ensure continued protection of human health
near grain elevators will be open for public comment at three
informational meetings/public hearings to be held this fall.
Many grain elevators have been largely unregulated since 1978. Although
Iowa’s air quality has continued to be in attainment with national
standards, operations at grain elevators can emit substantial quantities
of particulate matter in the vicinity of grain elevators. Particulate
matter is a pollutant that can cause respiratory problems and exacerbate
existing respiratory problems for people with asthma and lung and heart
diseases.
The DNR partnered with the Agribusiness Association of Iowa to develop
the new rules. Those rules include streamlined permitting procedures
designed to greatly simplify the permitting process for most grain
elevators. The rules also clarify the applicability of existing state
and federal particulate matter emission limits.
Of the three types of grain elevators covered under the proposal, the
vast majority (more than 700) are country grain elevators. In addition
to permitting requirements, the proposal sets a new particulate emission
limit for storage bin vents at country grain elevators. All country
grain elevators would also be required to adopt best management
practices to control air pollution and to limit fugitive dust from
crossing their property lines.
The three informational meetings followed by public hearings will be
held Monday, Sept. 24 at 1 p.m. in the conference rooms at the DNR Air
Quality Bureau in Urbandale; Wednesday, Sept. 26 at 1 p.m. in the Amana
Room at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids; and Tuesday, Oct. 2
at 1 p.m. at the Clay County Regional Events Center, 800 West 18th St.,
Spencer.
Written comments may also be submitted to the DNR Air Quality Office no
later than Oct. 3, 2007. Additional information is posted on the DNR Web
site at www.iowadnr.gov/air/input/input.html.
Writer: Mindy Kralicek
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