Blog For Tag "water quality"

posted by Michael Schmidt on Tuesday, April 6, 2021 A company seeking to site an 11,600-head cattle feedlot in northeast Iowa wasn't giving up on getting DNR approval. IEC Staff Attorney Michael Schmidt reviews the timeline and how Supreme Beef and DNR found a way to make the massive feedlot happen.

posted by Alicia Vasto on Thursday, March 4, 2021 Last month, the Governor's Economic Recovery Advisory Board released their recommendations for how the state should address challenges resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic. Alicia Vasto shares how their goals for placemaking and improved water quality in Iowa means it's time to fund the trust.

posted on Monday, February 1, 2021 Drake Law School student Bradley Adams shares his policy brief created in partnership with IEC as part of the Environmental Law and Policy Hack Competition. His brief advocates for bioretention practices in cities like Cedar Rapids, which have been hard hit by climate change, and how local leadership is more important than ever.

posted on Wednesday, October 28, 2020 Iowa sits at the crossroads of making decisions about the future of water resources management. CFRA believes that Iowa's quickest path to clean water and flood resiliency lies within each of our communities. Cody Smith with Center for Rural Affairs gives insight into their latest report, Iowa's Path to Clean Water and Flood Resilient Communities, and thoughts on how to put Iowa's communities in the driver's seat to meet the state's adopted goals.

posted by Michael Schmidt on Friday, October 23, 2020 The Iowa DNR recently approved the nutrient management plan for a 2,700 cattle feedlot in NE Iowa. As neighbors and Iowans consider the impacts of this operation on fragile karst topography, IEC Staff Attorney Michael Schmidt addresses questions, concerns, and suggestions for the future.

posted on Tuesday, September 22, 2020 IEC submitted comments expressing concern that the combination of the new EPA rule and proposed DNR changes would reduce protections for Iowa's waters, allowing a thousand cuts that would further harm Iowa's few remaining wetlands and resulting in poorer water quality.

posted by Alicia Vasto on Friday, September 11, 2020 As summer draws to a close, we're looking back at Weekly Water Watch 2020. Even with weeks full of unbelievable news, Iowa's waters still saw toxic algae blooms, E. coli contamination, drought, and high beach visitation across the state this year.

posted by Angelisa Belden on Friday, August 21, 2020 I spent a significant amount of money for a weekend getaway at an Iowa lake. Imagine my disappointment to find the water covered in green algae on day 2. Was it safe to swim? Who knows? Will I go back? That remains to be seen - and that's a danger for the local economy.

posted on Friday, July 31, 2020 Both the DNR and Polk County Conservation Board have reported a tremendous increase in park attendance, including increased beach and water recreation use since COVID-19 hit Iowa. However, before you throw on your swimsuit and goggles, know the risks of swimming prior to hitting the beach.

posted by Ingrid Gronstal on Friday, July 24, 2020 Invasive species are not only harmful to Iowa's water and environment by upsetting the natural balance of an ecosystem, they are costly to remove. Iowa water recreation is being impacted, as is our infrastructure.