Branstad's Attack On Iowa's Water
Attack on Water Quality – your e-mails needed Take Action!
Governor Branstad and legislators are considering transferring Section 319/Clean Water Act compliance functions, water monitoring and other water quality protection programs from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS). The 319 section of the Clean Water Act deals with non-point source pollution.
Agricultural practices are the primary source of non-point source pollution in Iowa.
We believe that Secretary Northey and his department are very capable and trusted advocates for Iowa's agricultural economy. But the primary mission and priorities of his department are not about protecting water quality.
If transferred to IDALS, water quality would take a back seat to agricultural economic priorities. Given the historical resistance to water quality restrictions by some factions of the Iowa agricultural community, moving our water protection programs to IDALS could put politics before sound science.
Also important to note is that Section 319 deals with urban sources of non-point pollution and IDALS does not have experience or expertise in addressing urban stormwater management issues. Transfer of this responsibility will put protection of water quality for all Iowans at risk.
Contact Governor Branstad today – urge him to leave the EPA 319 program and other critical water quality programs with the DNR.
You may also follow this link to a sample message that you can edit and send to Governor Branstad and your legislators.
Thank you for taking action!
Lynn Laws
Communications Director
Iowa Environmental Council
Blog For Iowa 