For immediate release: February 11, 2010

 

1.      EPA accepting comments on water quality plans for Ventura Marsh, Cedar Lake

2.      Two stream assessment meetings will not be rescheduled

 

EPA ACCEPTING COMMENTS ON WATER QUALITY PLANS FOR VENTURA MARSH, CEDAR LAKE

 

MEDIA CONTACT: Jeff Berckes at (515) 281-4791 or [log in to unmask]  

 

DES MOINES – The DNR is encouraging Iowans to review water quality improvement plans for Ventura Marsh, located in Cerro Gordo and Hancock counties, and for Cedar Lake in Madison County.

 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is accepting comments on both plans through March 10.

 

The plan for Ventura Marsh looks at problems, caused by a large population of bottom feeding carp, which affect other aquatic life in the marsh. The plan sets targets for algae and water clarity levels.

 

The plan for Cedar Lake, which is classified as a drinking water source, looks at levels of atrazine that exceed Iowa’s water quality standards. The plan sets targets for the lake to be able to attain atrazine levels below the Iowa water quality standards.

 

The EPA is the lead agency for these two documents and all comments should be directed to the EPA website. The documents can be accessed at www.epa.gob/region07/water/tmdl_public_notice.htm.

 

Water quality improvement plans are also called by their technical name, Total Maximum Daily Loads, or TMDLs.

 

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TWO STREAM ASSESSMENT MEETINGS WILL NOT BE RESCHEDULED

 

MEDIA CONTACT: Lori McDaniel at (515) 281-8094 or [log in to unmask]

 

DES MOINES — Meetings scheduled by the DNR that were cancelled due to winter weather Feb. 8 and 9 in Washington and Clear Lake will not be rescheduled.

 

The two meetings were part of a series of meetings focusing on DNR stream assessments and the effects on cities and businesses discharging treated wastewater to Iowa streams.

 

One remaining meeting is scheduled in Des Moines on Tuesday, Feb. 16, at 1:00 p.m. at the Wallace State Office Building, 502 E. Ninth St., fourth floor conference rooms. Other meetings that have already occurred around the state include Atlantic, Independence and Spencer.

 

For more information on water quality standards, visit the DNR’s Web site at

www.iowadnr.gov/water/standards/.

 

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