Iowa Department of Natural Resources July 31, 2008 For immediate release 1. Manure Causes Fish Kill in Woodbury County Pond 2. Environmental Protection Commission to meet Sept. 9 in Eldora Iowans asked to attend lower Des Moines River meeting to improve water quality Iowa wins big at energy program awards Manure Causes Fish Kill in Woodbury County Pond Media Contact: Ken Hessenius, supervisor, Environmental Services regional office in Spencer, at 712-262-4177. OTO, Iowa – Runoff from an open feedlot pork operation is believed to have caused a fish kill in private pond southeast of Oto, in Woodbury County. The DNR was notified last week of hundreds of dead bluegill and bass being found in a pond approximately five acres in size and owned by Rose Cloud. The contamination apparently came from a hog operation owned by Smithland More Pork. Between three and five inches of rain last week apparently caused a containment structure to run over and manure flowed approximately a half mile into the private pond. The fish kill is still under investigation and although the fish killed were on private property, the DNR is still considering enforcement action because the manure was not contained and there was a discharge to a water of the state. ### ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION COMMISSION TO MEET SEPTEMBER 9 IN ELDORA MEDIA CONTACT: Karen Grimes at (515) 281-5135 or [log in to unmask] DES MOINES – The Environmental Protection Commission’s September meeting will be preceded by tours of one of the commissioner’s farms and a cattle barn. The farm tours will start at 1:30 p.m. on Sept. 8, leaving from the AmericInn, 810 S. Oak St. in Iowa Falls. Commissioners will explore conservation practices used to sustain long-term productivity on the David Petty farm near Eldora at 1:50 p.m. Their next stop at 2:45 p.m. will be the Harris Hayward farm near Eldora where they will see how deep-bedded confinements can improve water quality. Dinner is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Porter’s on Main, 205 Main St., in Iowa Falls. The regularly scheduled monthly meeting will begin at 10 a.m., Sept. 9, at the Eldora Public Library, 1202 10th St. Public comment is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. and an appeal for a contested case is scheduled for 1 p.m. Item nine on the agenda, a notice of intended action for Chapter 101 rules on solid waste comprehensive planning requirements has been withdrawn from the agenda. It will be heard at the October meeting in Urbandale. The complete agenda follows: · Approval of Agenda · Approval of Minutes · Director’s Remarks Budget Request for FY 2010 Adopted & Filed Emergency – Chapter 107 by adopting new rule 567-107.16(455C) – Independent redemption center grant program Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund – FY 2009 Intended Use Plans, Second Quarter Updates · Solid Waste Alternatives Program – Recommendations · Final Rule - Chapter 61 – Water Quality Standards, Section 401 Certification of Section 404 Regional Permit 7 (RP 7) · Notice of Intended Action – Chapter 119 – Waste Oil Notice of Intended Action – Chapter 22 – Controlling Pollution – Title V Fee Cap Proposed Rule – Chapter 50 – Water Use & Allocation Permit Fees: Scope of Division, Definitions, Forms, and Rules of Practice and Chapter 55 – Aquifer Storage and Recovery: Criteria and Conditions for Authorizing Storage, Recovery, and Use of Water · 2009 EPC Dates and Locations Appeal of Contested Case Decision – Dan Witt · Notice of Intended Action – Chapter 61 – Water Quality Standards (Antidegradation Policy and Implementation Procedures) · Monthly Reports · General Discussion · Items for Next Month’s Meeting o October 14 – Urbandale o November 10 – Urbandale Look for more information about the agenda items on the DNR Web site under Commissions and Boards at www.iowadnr.gov. The members of the commission are Henry Marquard, chair, Muscatine; Charlotte Hubbell, vice chair, Des Moines; Suzanne Morrow, secretary, Storm Lake; David Petty, Eldora; Susan Heathcote, Des Moines; Paul Johnson, Decorah, Marty Stimson, Cedar Rapids; and Shearon Elderkin, Cedar Rapids. The director of the DNR is Richard Leopold. Writer: Karen Grimes ### IOWANS ASKED TO ATTEND INFORMATIONAL MEETING REGARDING LOWER DES MOINES RIVER MEDIA CONTACT: Jeff Berckes at (515) 281-4791 or [log in to unmask] or Bill Graham at (515) 281-5917 or [log in to unmask] DES MOINES – Iowans interested in learning about the water quality improvement plan scheduled to be completed for the lower Des Moines River can attend a meeting to be held in three locations the week of Sept. 15. A segment of the Des Moines River, known as the lower Des Moines River, is on the state’s impaired waters list because of excess E. coli bacteria in the water. This type of bacteria may indicate the presence of disease-causing human pathogens. The lower Des Moines segment runs from downtown Des Moines where the Raccoon River enters to the uppermost part of Red Rock Reservoir. This segment collects water from many important Iowa rivers and streams including Raccoon River, Saylorville Lake, Beaver Creek, Four Mile Creek, North River, Middle River and South River. The study, or DNR water quality improvement plan, will look at the problems and potential solutions for the river. The document can be used as a guide to improve recreation, wildlife and fishing on the river for local resource agencies, partners, stakeholders and residents interested in making a difference. “We would like to work with people interested in learning more about water quality and how they can affect positive change in their watershed,” said Jeff Berckes with the DNR’s Watershed Improvement program. “These meetings are the first chance for the public to express their ideas on what can be done to improve the lower Des Moines River.” The DNR will ask Iowans for public input at the following meetings: Des Moines area: Sept. 15, 2-4 p.m., Meeting Room B, Urbandale Public Library, 3520 86th St., Urbandale. Winterset: Sept. 15, 7-9 p.m., Community Center Room at the Farmers and Merchants State Bank, 101 West Jefferson St. Indianola: Sept. 17, 7-9 p.m., Carver Hall Room 215 at Simpson College, West Clinton Ave. Staff from the DNR’s Watershed Improvement Program will be on hand to answer questions. Those not able to attend the public meeting can receive more information at www.iowadnr.gov/water/watershed/tmdl/publicnotice.html Or, they can contact Jeff Berckes, water quality improvement program coordinator, by emailing [log in to unmask], calling (515) 281-4791 or mailing him care of the DNR, Wallace State Office Building, 502 E. Ninth St., Des Moines, IA 50319 After gathering Iowans’ comments, the DNR will complete a draft plan. When the document is completed, it will be presented to the public for comments and then submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for approval. Local groups interested in improving water quality in the lower Des Moines River can then use the plan to assist their improvement efforts. ### IOWA WINS BIG AT ENERGY PROGRAM AWARDS DNR MEDIA CONTACT: Jane Mild, (515) 242-6004 or [log in to unmask] DES MOINES – Rural Communities and farmers in Iowa have won big as recipients of grant and loan money from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. U.S.D.A. Rural Development's mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents. The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer announced Aug. 27, that 769 individuals and businesses in 43 states will receive $35 million in energy grants and loan guarantees. The guarantees are important since the U.S.D.A. guarantees a portion of the loan that the bank or lending institution makes. Together with award announcements made since May, Iowans will receive more than 24 percent of all awards, and 27 percent of budget authority for the nation. Iowa received 167 awards out of 171 applications that Iowans submitted, and secured almost $8.3 million in grant funds/budget authority. Iowa also received nearly $4.8 million in guaranteed loan funds. The grants and loan guarantees are being awarded through U.S.D.A. Rural Development's Section 9006 Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements program. The program provides financial assistance to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to support renewable energy projects across a wide range of technologies. Eligible projects include biomass (including anaerobic digesters), geothermal, hydrogen, solar and wind energy. It also provides support to increase energy efficiency improvements, helping recipients reduce energy consumption and improve operations. One of the applicants, D.J. Keehner Farms, Inc. of Monona, will receive an $11,561 grant. Keehner plans to replace a propane heating system with a more energy-efficient geothermal heating system, which is expecting to reduce energy costs by 78 percent. A special thank you goes out to all public and private entities that played such an important role in Iowa’s receipt of so many financial awards. “Thank you for being such great partners in the 9006 program. Your help has been invaluable,” said Teresa Bomhoff, State Office Rural Energy Coordinator for Iowa. For more information and qualifications to apply for future awards, visit www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/farmbill/index.html Written by Tyler Keoppel ### - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 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 To view the Sierra Club List Terms & Conditions, see: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/terms.asp