DNR INVESTIGATES FISH KILL IN DUBUQUE COUNTY
MEDIA CONTACT: Rick Martens at Manchester DNR field office, (563) 927-2640 or [log in to unmask]
BERNARD—Surface-applied manure from Bernard County Dairy on a partially frozen 40-acre field west of Bernard resulted in runoff that killed more than 2,000 fish in an unnamed stream following rains on Monday.
DNR investigation revealed that factors contributing to the manure runoff were minimal corn stock residue, field slope, inadequate separation distances, limited manure incorporation and not checking the area for recent drainage improvements. The manure applicator was Gansen Pumping, Inc. of Zwingle.
Dead fish included minnows, shiners, chubs, suckers, dace and a few sunfish. No game fish were killed.
“This incident highlights the need for manure application planning and for choosing low risk areas for application,” said DNR Environmental Specialist Rick Martens.
The DNR will continue to monitor the situation and consider enforcement action.
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SIMRA TO MEET DEC. 9
MEDIA CONTACT: Jerah Sheets, DNR, at (515) 313-8909 or [log in to unmask]
DES MOINES — The State Interagency Missouri River Authority (SIMRA) will meet Dec. 9 from 1 to 3 p.m. in Des Moines.
The group will meet in the fifth floor conference room of the Wallace State Office at 502 E. Ninth St. The meeting is open to the public. Parking is available in the parking garage at Pennsylvania Avenue and East Grand. Additional information may be found at www.iowadnr.gov/simra.html.
The State Interagency Missouri River Authority was established by Iowa Code chapter 28L to promote policy regarding the state's many uses and interests along the Missouri River corridor. The Authority discusses and determines Iowa's positions regarding issues before the Missouri River Association of the States and Tribes (MoRAST).
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MEDIA CONTACT: Jerah Sheets at (515) 313-8909.
DES MOINES – Counties interested in evaluating proposed locations of confinement (totally roofed) animal feeding facilities must sign up by Jan. 31, 2011.
Counties that would like to participate must adopt and file a construction evaluation resolution and submit it to the DNR in January of 2011. Most counties participate. Consequently the “master matrix” applies to most confinement feeding operations that need to apply for a construction permit.
“This is an opportunity for counties to provide input to producers on site selection, the type of structures and facility management being proposed,” said Gene Tinker, coordinator of the DNR animal feeding section. “County supervisors can review and comment on the master matrix that producers submit.”
Producers in counties that file the resolutions must meet higher standards than other permitted sites. They must earn points on a matrix by choosing a site and using practices that reduce impacts on the environment and the community.
Staff from participating counties may accompany the DNR on site visits to proposed confinement operations. The county board of supervisors may also appeal the DNR’s preliminary approval of a permit to the Environmental Protection Commission.
Approximately 85 counties have filed resolutions each year since the master matrix went into effect in 2003.
Counties that have adopted a resolution should mail it to Jerah Sheets at the DNR, 502 E. Ninth St., Des Moines, IA 50319 or fax it to (515) 281-6794. Sign-ups occur annually during the month of January and apply to construction applications from Feb. 1, 2011, to Jan. 31, 2012.
For more information on which operations need a construction permit or are covered by the matrix, check the DNR Web site under animal feeding operations at http://www.iowadnr.com/afo/matrix.html.
Find additional information on the Iowa State Association of Counties Web site at http://www.iowacounties.org/ under news: topics of interest.
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