Iowa Department of Natural Resources March 19, 2009 For immediate release 1. Annual river cleanup route and dates announced 2. Commercial livestock truck wash facilities need proper wastewater disposal 3. Plugged line leads to Davenport wastewater discharge Annual River Cleanup route and dates announced MEDIA CONTACT: Brian Soenen at (515) 205-8587 or [log in to unmask] DES MOINES - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is looking for adventuresome volunteers to take part in the seventh annual Project AWARE (A Watershed Awareness River Expedition) river cleanup event. This year's expedition, scheduled for June 20-27, is expected to bring hundreds of volunteers to the Cedar River to clean it up from Center Point to Muscatine, a distance of nearly 86 miles. Volunteers participate by floating the river in a canoe or kayak and cleaning up river trash along the way. Opportunities for land based volunteers are also available. While the expedition lasts an entire week, volunteers may stay and help for as little or as long as they like. Project AWARE combines river cleanup, recreation and education into a meaningful and rewarding experience for volunteers. Past participants have said that AWARE is one of the greatest ways for someone to connect with nature and make a difference in protecting it. In the six-year history of Project AWARE, the expedition has sported an impressive track record, enlisting 1,231 participants who have cleaned up more than 480 river miles and removed more than 1,500 cubic yards of trash, of which 81 percent has been recycled. Volunteers have also restored native prairie, renovated trails and enhanced recreational areas. While the work can be tough and dirty, the expedition is really one of a kind. "Project AWARE is my RAGBRAI ... my vacation," says Cindy Watson, a four-year Project AWARE veteran. "It's a chance to come together with a bunch of other Iowans who want to make a difference and clean up our Iowa waters." Project AWARE is an initiative of the DNR's IOWATER and Iowa Water Trails Programs. For more information on this event and to download the registration materials, please visit www.iowaprojectaware.com <http://www.iowaprojectaware.org/> or contact Brian Soenen at [log in to unmask] or (515) 205-8587. # # # COMMERCIAL LIVESTOCK TRUCK WASH FACILITIES NEED PROPER WASTEWATER DISPOSAL Lyman fish kill a reminder to facilities MEDIA CONTACT: Dan Stipe at (712) 243-1934 or [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> ATLANTIC - As the DNR continues an investigation of a fish kill in Cass and Montgomery counties, it's reminding commercial truck washes of proper ways to handle wastewater. Wednesday, a discharge of wastewater from a truck wash owned by Muller Livestock led to a fish kill in Rose Creek, south of Lyman. Wastewater generated by washing out trucks used to haul livestock can kill fish and other aquatic life, as it can contain manure and other pollutants. In the Rose Creek fish kill, truck wash staff pulled a drain plug in a storage structure, allowing wastewater to drain to a ditch and eventually the creek. Facilities can not discharge wastewater to streams, rivers, lakes, storm sewers, drainage tiles, road ditches or the ground without a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. "Owners of these wash facilities should consider alternatives, such as hooking up to their community's treatment works, if possible, collecting and transporting the wastewater to a publicly owned treatment works, or obtaining an NPDES permit," said Dan Stipe, supervisor of the DNR's Atlantic field office. "There are options, and we can work with facilities to find what will work for their business." Wash facilities could also apply for an operation permit from the DNR to land apply the wastewater. However, facilities can not use septic systems to treat this wastewater, Stipe said. The DNR continues to investigate the fish kill and will consider possible enforcement action. # # # PLUGGED LINE LEADS TO DAVENPORT WASTEWATER DISCHARGE MEDIA CONTACT: Mark Heiderscheit at (319) 653-2135 or [log in to unmask] DAVENPORT - The DNR is advising Davenport residents to avoid a wooded area following a sewer backup. A plugged sewer line led to the wastewater discharge, discovered Wednesday evening behind homes in the 5000 block of Cedar Street. Residents should keep children and pets out of the area until 48 hours after the discharge is cleaned up. The untreated wastewater is discharging from a manhole. The city is collecting water samples from a nearby ditch that drains to Silver Creek and in the creek. The city stopped the discharge around 8:15 a.m. Thursday and is investigating the cause of the sewer line blockage. -30- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 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/