Iowa Department of Natural Resources Read all DNR news releases at: www.iowadnr.gov/news/ Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/iowadnr July 2, 2009 For immediate release 1. Allamakee County residents invited to attend water quality meeting for Hecker Creek 2. DNR seeks public comment on changes to three water quality standards criteria ALLAMAKEE COUNTY RESIDENTS INVITED TO ATTEND WATER QUALITY MEETING FOR HECKER CREEK MEDIA CONTACT: Jeff Berckes at (515) 281-4791 or <mailto:> [log in to unmask] POSTVILLE - Iowans interested in the results of a water quality study for Hecker Creek in Allamakee County can attend a meeting July 21. Hecker Creek is on the state's impaired waters list because it does not support aquatic life, and there is no clear reason why, said Jen Kurth, the lead on the study. The study, which uses a process called Stressor Identification, determines the causes of problems in the stream. It focuses on biological conditions in the watershed, or the area of land that drains in to the creek, to see what is leading to poor conditions in the creek for fish and other aquatic life. Through this process, the DNR has determined Hecker Creek has not met expectations due to habitat alterations and high levels of chloride. Straightening of the stream channel and other changes in the creek have likely reduced the quality of habitat for aquatic life, especially fish. High levels of chloride can adversely affect survival, growth and reproductive rates of aquatic life. "The Yellow River and its tributaries, including Hecker Creek, historically have been some of the finest resources this state has to offer," said Kurth. "Hecker Creek has had a lot of interest surrounding it in the past few years and we look forward to sharing the results of the study with the community." The DNR will discuss the study results at a July 21 meeting in Postville. The meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m. at the Freedom Bank community center, located at 135 West Tilden St. Staff from the DNR's Watershed Improvement program, field office and Fisheries bureau will be on hand to answer questions and to discuss next steps in improving water quality in Hecker Creek. Those not able to attend the public meeting can receive more information at www.iowadnr.gov/water/watershed/tmdl/publicnotice.html and submit comments on the document by Aug. 3, 2009 via the following ways: E-mail: [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> Telephone: Jeff Berckes at (515) 281-4791 Mail: Jeff Berckes, care of Iowa DNR, Wallace State Office Building, 502 E. Ninth St., Des Moines, Iowa 50319 # # # DNR Seeks Public Comment on CHANGES TO THREE Water Quality Standards CRITERIA MEDIA CONTACT: Adam Schnieders, Iowa DNR, (515) 281-7409 or [log in to unmask] DES MOINES - The DNR is seeking public comments on proposed rules that would establish requirements to protect and manage the water quality of Iowa's surface waters. Recently, the DNR began to compile research related to toxicity of total dissolved solids, chloride and sulfate. The purpose was to update and develop criteria for these parameters to better protect aquatic life based on new scientific information. With the availability of new research and toxicity data, the information is now available to propose numeric criteria for chloride and sulfate to better protect river, stream and lake aquatic life uses and revaluate the current interim approach for total dissolved solids criteria. People can comment on the proposed rules orally or in writing at seven public meetings, listed alphabetically by town: * Atlantic: 10:00 a.m. July 15, Atlantic Public Library, 507 Poplar St. * Clear Lake: 11:00 a.m. July 16, Clear Lake Public Library, 200 N. Fourth St. * Des Moines: 1:00 p.m. July 9, fifth floor conference rooms of the Wallace State Office Building, 502 E. Ninth St. * Dubuque: 11:00 a.m. July 13, Dubuque Public Library, 360 W. 11th St. * Iowa City: 6:00 p.m. July 13, Iowa City Public Library, 123 S. Linn St. * Orange City: 11:00 a.m. July 7, Orange City Public Library, 112 Albany Avenue SE * Spencer: 6:00 p.m. July 7, Spencer Public Library, 21 E. Third St. The proposed changes would: * Establish numerical water quality criteria for chloride, for the protection of aquatic life * Establish numerical water quality criteria for sulfate, for the protection of aquatic life and livestock watering * Remove criteria for total dissolved solids and associated implementation procedures. Revise the default hardness level used for hardness-dependent chemical criteria Find detailed information on the changes and view the complete rule proposal at www.iowadnr.gov/water/standards/chloride.html. People can submit written comments to Adam Schnieders at the Iowa DNR, 502 East Ninth St., Des Moines, IA 50319, or by e-mail to [log in to unmask] The DNR will accept comments until Aug. 14, 2009. For more information, contact Schnieders by e-mail or at (515) 281-7409. -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/