Water Quality Task Force

We know that many Sierrans have been interested in and active in the issue
of Iowa's water quality.  One of the concerns Sierra Club has is the effect
of non-point source pollution on water quality.  Fortunately, the Clean
Water Act contains a mechanism for ensuring that non-point source pollution
will not adversely affect water quality.  This is the requirement that the
EPA, and by delegation the Iowa DNR, establish Total Maximum Daily Loads
(TMDLs) for waters that do not meet water quality standards.

But unfortunately, EPA and DNR have not carried out this duty. Therefore,
the Sierra Club is initiating litigation to require the agencies to
identify
the state's impaired waters and establish TMDL's for these waters. This
case will require a coordinated statewide effort that the Sierra Club is
uniquely qualified to undertake. We need to have volunteers all over the
state identify impaired waters (water bodies we believe do not meet
water quality standards) and sources of pollution so we can explain
to a court what the agencies should be doing.

We really need to work hard to prepare this list as we will be filing our
lawsuit soon, so time is of the essense.  Several people across the
state have volunteered to serve on this committee, but we still need a
chairperson!

We also need additional volunteers to come forward with information
about these impaired waters.

We don't need water quality testing or specific numerical data. We just
need some narrative descriptions of water bodies we believe are impaired.
Please let me know what information you have and any ideas to
make this process more effective.  Group conservation chairs might be able
to coordinate a water quality survey at the group level.

National is really stressing the importance of this effort. It is something
the Sierra Club is uniquely able to do to make the TMDL litigation
successful.

If you want to volunteer time or information about a water body,
contact Jane Clark at [log in to unmask] or 515-223-5047,

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