IOWA'S WATER WOES
Last Sunday, February 12th, the headlines of the Des Moines Register read: 'NO CLEAR SOLUTIONS TO STATE'S TAINTED WATER'
This article by Perry Beeman/Register staff writer goes on to say that
recreation and more businesses would come to the state if we had better
water quality.
“Many IOWA rivers are seriously polluted – dying before their time- and
environmental rules that would force a massive new cleanup effort
promise to affect IOWAN's pocketbooks, river outings and fishing trips…
“Rules passed in January by state environmental regulators – after
eight years of debate – set new limits on pollutants such as bacteria,
which can threaten the health of people and animals; and AMMONIA, WHICH
IS TOXIC TO FISH AND AQUATIC PLANTS…
“…state lawmakers began discussing a bill that would block the
changes. The rules come THREE DECADES AFTER THE 1972 FEDERAL
CLEAN WATER ACT DEMANDED THAT ALL RIVERS BE PROTECTED FOR RECREATION
AND AQUATIC LIFE, UNLESS STUDIES SHOW THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE. Since that act became law, IOWA has bowed to pressure from city
sewage-treatment operators who maintained the changes would cost too
much. Consequently, the state IS ONE OF THE LAST IN THE NATION to
protect waters so they are 'fishable and swimmable,' as required.”
As we can all surmise, attaining cleaner water will take time, new
ideas, and MONEY. “…90 % OF THE POLLUTION IS COMING FROM FARMS
AND YARDS UNREGULATED BY THE NEW RULES….
“…'ignoring this duty is not an option', IOWA DNR DIRECTOR JEFF VONK wrote to lawmakers last month before the legislative session began.
“THE RULES WOULD AFFECT ANIMAL CONFINEMENTS AND FEEDLOTS, SOME OF WHICH
FACE LEGAL ACTIONS FOR FISH KILLS AND STREAM POLLUTION THAT OCCURRED
DURING THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS, VONK SAID. The rules would not
affect grain farms and other agriculture operations…”
SUSAN HEATHCOTE is one of nine appointed by the governor to sit on
the state's ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION COMMISSION. She ” began
pushing the state eight years ago to revise its standards to comply
with the Clean Water Act, the linchpin of the Federal government's
river-cleaning apparatus.”
It will take an act of our state legislature to start to fix
this. Maybe federal grants can be obtained. So start with
your legislator to insure the state of IOWA starts to uphold the Clean
Water Act. In Eastern IOWA, you can contact SENATOR FRANK WOOD,
D-ELDRIDGE at frank.wood@legis.state.ia.us or he can be called at
515-281-3371. Senator Wood is co-chair of the Senate
sub-committee that is debating Senate Study Bill 3069. It
proposes to block most of the new rules. Also co-chairing is
Senator Mary Lundby, R-Marion, who can be contacted at mary.lundby@legis.state.ia.us
To view the entire bill, go to www.legis.state.ia.us
For information on the rules approved by the IOWA Environmental Protection Commission, see www.iowadnr.com
If you would like to read the entire Des Moines Register article, see www.DesMoinesRegister.com
Now don't forget …and remind your loved ones, too… CPR:
CONSERVE/PARTICIPATE/RECYCLE
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