STOP the DNR From Cutting Back Protections for Iowa's Streams

We found this at Iowa Farmers Union, but it originated at Iowa Environmental Council.  Comments are needed.  Please pass on.

The Iowa DNR is proposing to lower recreational use protections for 119 stream segments in 58 of Iowa’s 99 counties. Your comments are needed to make sure the final DNR recommendations accurately reflect how your local stream is used and what recreational uses would be attainable if the water quality is improved. These assessments are critical because they will determine what level of protections will apply.

Your help is needed, especially with regard to the streams listed below. If you are aware of how one or more of these streams is used, please contact the DNR describing how they are used, or how you would use them if the water quality was improved and protected.  Example: “My children wade in this stream,” or “I would swim in this stream if I knew it was protected from pollution and safe to swim in.”   You can also  click here to go to the stream usage survey form by county.

Any person may submit written comments through May 20, 2009 to:

Adam Schnieders
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Wallace State Office Building
502 East 9th Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
fax (515)281-8895

To see a map of all the affected streams and to learn more, go to the Iowa Environmental Council website

If you have questions or need help with your comments, contact the Council’s Water Program Director Susan Heathcote, ph. 515-244-1194 ext 205.

Priority List of Rivers and Streams for Public Review and Comment

   1. Hartgrave Creek  ( Butler and Franklin Counties)
   2. Little Maquoketa  River  (Dubuque County)
   3. Mosquito Creek  (Pottawattamie/Harrison/Shelby Counties
   4. Big Bear Creek  (Iowa and Poweshiek Counties)
   5. West Branch Floyd River  (Plymouth and Sioux Counties)
   6. Indian Creek  (Plymouth and Sioux Counties)
   7. Twelvemile Creek  (Union County)
   8. Thompson River  (Union/Madison/Adair Counties)
   9. East Nodaway River  (Page/Taylor/Adams Counties)
  10. Platte River  (Taylor/Ringold /Adams/Union Counties)
  11. Little Walnut Creek  (Appanoose County)
  12. Shoal Creek  (Appanoose County)
  13. Indian Creek  (Cass/Shelby/Audubon Counties)
  14. Crooked Creek  (Cedar County
  15. Honey Creek  (Delaware County)
  16. Plum Creek  (Delaware County)
  17. Flint Creek  (Des Moines County)
  18. Hawkeye Creek  (Des Moines County)
  19. Fourmile Creek  (Kossuth County)
  20. North Timber Creek  (Marshall County)
  21. South Timber Creek  (Marshall County)
  22. Mud Creek  (Polk County)
  23. Little Bear Creek  (Poweshiek County)
  24. Sixmile Creek  (Sioux County)