Iowa Department of Natural Resources February 26, 2009 For immediate release 1. EPC to consider water quality, energy contracts at Cedar Rapids meeting EPC TO CONSIDER WATER QUALITY, ENERGY CONTRACTS AT CEDAR RAPIDS MEETING MEDIA CONTACT: Jerah Gallinger at (515) 313-8909 or [log in to unmask] CEDAR RAPIDS - A watershed improvement model and an innovative energy contract are on the Environmental Protection Commission's March 17 agenda in Cedar Rapids. Commissioners will be asked to approve a contract with Iowa State University that would significantly reduce the time it takes to model stream flows as DNR works to improve water quality, basin by basin. Researchers will examine 12 watersheds, two in each major Iowa ecoregion. They will set up the model using one watershed in each ecoregion. Then they will test the model by applying it to another watershed in the same ecoregion. "Since ecoregions share certain characteristics like soil type and geology, we expect the model to not only save tons of time, but also to add to the accuracy and consistency of our work," said Mindy Buyck, a DNR specialist on watershed analysis. A contract with the city of Marion is also up for consideration. If approved, it would allow Linn County to explore the economic and energy generation feasibility of using plasma arc technology. The process uses high electrical energy and temperatures to break down wastes. It could potentially reduce wastes sent to landfills while providing a source of electricity. The meeting will begin at 10 a.m. at the Clarion Hotel, 525 33 Avenue S.W., in Cedar Rapids. The public is invited to participate and comment starting at 10:30 a.m. Commissioners will tour Clipper Wind Power Industries at 2 p.m. March 16 the day before the meeting. The tour is open to the public, however, space and safety equipment are limited, so reservations must be made by March 10. Dinner on March 16 will be held at 6 p.m. at the Colony Inn Restaurant, 741 47 Avenue in Amana. The complete agenda follows: * Approval of Agenda * Approval of Minutes * Director's Remarks * Chapters 20, 21,22, 23, 25, 28, and 33 - Air Quality Program Rules - Updates, Revisions, and Additions * Air Quality - Title V Fee Budget Review * Adopted and Filed Emergency - Chapter 35: Air Emissions Reduction Assistance Program * Notice of Intended Action - Chapter 35 - Air Emissions Reduction Assistance Program * Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund - FY 2009 Intended Use Plans, Fourth Quarter Updates * Contracts - Archeological and/or Architectural History Services - State Revolving Fund * Reconsideration of Decision Item #6 from the February 17, 2009 Meeting: Adopted and Final Water Use & Allocation Permit Fees Rule * Amended Notice of Intended Action - Water Use & Allocation Permit Fees, Chapter 50: Scope of Division-Definitions-Forms-Rules of Practice; and Chapter 55: Aquifer Storage and Recovery: Criteria and Conditions for Authorizing Storage, Recovery, and Use of Water * Contract - Iowa State University for Development of SWAT hydrologic parameters for specific Iowa landform regions * Contract - City of Marion - Economic Analysis of a Plasma Arc Waste-to-Energy Facility * Monthly Reports * General Discussion o CAFO Hearing Rules * Items for Next Month's Meeting o April 21 - Urbandale o May 19 - Urbandale Look for more information about the agenda items on the DNR Web site under "Commissions and Boards" at www.iowadnr.gov <http://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; Shearon Elderkin, Cedar Rapids; and Eugene Ver Steeg, Inwood. The director of the DNR is Richard Leopold. Writer: Karen Grimes - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 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/