Blog For Tag "water quality"

posted by Michael Schmidt on Friday, August 25, 2023 The EPA recently denied two petitions seeking stronger rules governing concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) filed by national and local environmental groups. IEC Staff Attorney Michael Schmidt explains the petitions, the ruling, and what it means for future CAFO rules in Iowa.

posted by Angelisa Belden on Thursday, August 3, 2023 A roadtrip to get photos of an ongoing toxic algae bloom reinforced the need to expand water quality advisory signage to protect ALL Iowans.

posted by Guest Blogger on Thursday, July 20, 2023 IEC Member Organization Iowa Rivers Revival re-launched their Service Squad initiative in 2023. In this guest blog post, three Americorps volunteers share their summer experiences as part of the initiative.

posted by Michael Schmidt on Friday, June 16, 2023 Iowa DNR is in the process of updating the rules defining how manure is stored at AFOs and then applied on the landscape. This rulemaking is a chance for DNR to protect Iowans while saving them money, but we need stronger rules to make that happen. The draft rules have some changes, but not enough - and the process is more complicated thanks to an executive order.

posted by Alicia Vasto on Friday, June 2, 2023 To mark the 10th anniversary of the Nutrient Reduction Strategy, IEC launched a new website: decliningdecade.org. Big Ag is pushing a narrative that the NRS is a success, when the numbers tell a different story. Water Program Director Alicia Vasto says more about why stories are good, but data is key and what Iowa's really seen in the past ten years.

posted by Alicia Vasto on Friday, May 26, 2023 With the Memorial Day holiday upon us, the start of summer recreation, and weekly beach monitoring, summer has begun! With that comes the start of IEC's Weekly Water Watch series. Read on to learn about new advisory data and activities this summer.

posted by Guest Blogger on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 Nitrate pollution is a sprawling, complex issue with its roots in major industries. It can be difficult to feel that we as individuals have the ability to affect change when an issue looms so large. Heather Wilson with the Izaak Walton League of America explains that is one of the reasons IWLA is so excited to invite volunteers to participate in the Nitrate Watch program, which takes a hands-on approach to combatting nitrate pollution.

posted by Guest Blogger on Monday, April 10, 2023 Brittany Costello, Miss Scott County, shares how her interests of pageants and water quality combined. Learn about her initiative 'Watersheds: Think Global, Act Local,' as well as her new podcast, her youth curriculum on water quality, her trash clean ups and water quality monitoring projects and all the ways she's engaging local Iowans to make Iowa's water better.

posted by Alicia Vasto on Tuesday, February 14, 2023 On this Valentine's Day, IEC staff share our water love stories. From childhood exploration, to boating adventures as adults, to taking their own kids outside, hear what we love about water.

posted by Guest Blogger on Tuesday, January 31, 2023 Fertilizer pollution (composed of the chemical nutrients nitrogen and phosphorus) has plagued Iowa's waterways since long before the Iowa Environmental Council was formed in 1995. As the state's primary plan for addressing nutrient pollution approaches its 10th anniversary, what can we say about Iowa's water today? Several past IEC executive directors share their thoughts in this guest blog.