Please share this action alert from Jefferson County Farmers & Neighbors (JFAN).
Factory farms have gotten away with a slap on the wrist for polluting our water for far too long. Our legislators have the opportunity to help enforce accountability on polluters that can protect our water and communities.
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Contact House Agriculture Committee Chair, Mike Sexton, at 712-830-3960 to share why you care about Iowa’s water and your concerns with factory farms! We want to flood his inbox with support for action that protects Iowans and our water quality by asking him to schedule a subcommittee hearing on meaningful legislation like HF 2354, & HF 2124. Also demand that he opposes SSB 3103, & HSB 607, two bills that will harm Iowans and the environment.
Here’s a sample script you can use:
I am calling to ask you to support and pass clean water legislation that holds factory farm polluters accountable and to oppose legislation that would allow for increased harm to our communities. Support and schedule a subcommittee hearing this week for HF 2354 and HF 2124 and oppose HSB 607 and SSB 3103. Thank you.
You can also email Rep. Sexton at
We encourage you to contact your legislators as well. Find your legislators here.
Here’s some on on the bills:
GOOD BILLS:
HF 2354: Clean Water for Iowa Act
This bill would give the Iowa DNR the ability to require and enforce Clean Water Act Permits for existing and new factory farms in Iowa. it would hold them to the same standards as other industries and increase accountability, transparency, violation penalties ($$$), and maintenance requirements to help prevent spills. It also enables the state to pass a law that is more stringent than the federal Clean Water Act.
HF 2124: Factory Farm Moratorium
This bill would prevent the construction of new or expanding factory farms including partially roofed confinements.
THE BAD BILLS:
SSB 3103: Removes the Option to Anonymously Report Potential Factory Farm Violations to the DNR
It would also require the DNR to reveal the name of the person filing the complaint to the potential violator if the DNR investigates the complaint, removing protections for neighbors afraid of retribution.
HHB 607: Nutrient Management Plan Loophole
This bill would require new or updated nutrient management plans (NMP) to be valid upon submission until the DNR has a chance to approve or deny the plan. If the DNR denies the NMP, the factory farm owner can can object and the plan remains valid until all judicial reviews are exhausted.
There are ways that our elected can stand to protect our communities, health, and environment and they wont do it out of the kindness of their hearts! They need to hear from you!
Thank you for calling today!
The Iowa Alliance for Responsible Agriculture is a coalition of local, state, and national organizations all committed to a common goal of demanding a moratorium on new factory farms in Iowa.
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Jefferson County Farmers & Neighbors, Inc.
PO Box 811
Fairfield, IA 52556
641-209-6600
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JFANIowa
JFAN is funded by grassroots support and gratefully welcomes your donations. https://www.jfaniowa.org/donate-today
JFAN is a member of the Iowa Alliance for Responsible Agriculture (IARA)
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