---about the Department > of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s Budget for the > coming year. The budget contains language specifically > requiring the department to conduct water-quality > evaluations, but says the results of those evaluations will > be confidential and exempt from public access. The > evaluations and data generated are part of the Nutrient > Reduction Strategy, an agreement reached between the state > and federal Environmental Protection Agency to address high > levels of fertilizer runoff and other pollution in the > state’s waterways. Under the strategy, farmers and > landowners are encouraged to voluntarily take steps decrease > pollution and increase the health of rivers and > streams. State Representative Jack Drake, R-Griswold > and chairman of the committee drafted the legislation. > Angie Carter, a graduate student in sociology and > sustainable agriculture at Iowa State University, and a > League member issued a statement for CCI, “There is no way > for the public to measure or share the progress of the > Nutrient Reduction Strategy unless information from the > water quality practices databases is accessible to > citizens.” The > department budget has won approval but has not yet reached > the House floor for debate. It may be amended on the > floor, and after passing the Republican controlled House it > must be considered by the Democratic-led > Senate. We > are encouraging all League members to make contact with > their elected Representatives and Senators to “oppose > water quality data being > confidential.” In > League, Bonnie Pitz, President, > LWVIA Information based on Jason Noble > article in the DM Register 3-28-14—“Group Opposes Water > Data Being Confidential” > > > > Charles Winterwood 1555 Montrose Terrace Dubuque,IA 52001 > > > > > > > > > > > This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection > is active. > > > > > > > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 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 To view the Sierra Club List Terms & Conditions, see: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/terms.asp