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  • Category: Rivers
  • Founded: Jul 3, 2001
  • Language: English
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#901 From: Rick Dietz <rsdietz@...>
Date: Tue Apr 20, 2010 2:20 am
Subject: April 24 Clean Water and Wild & Scenic Film Festivals... 		rsdietz
Send Email Send Email
 
Ames Clean Water Festival
Saturday April 24, 10 am - 2 pm
Ames Community Center, 515 Clark Avenue
The Ames Public Works Department, in partnership with the Ames Water and Pollution Control Department, is co-hosting this FREE event which offers a variety of attractions.

The Ames Clean Water Festival emphasizes the importance of water in everyday life and encourages the preservation of this precious resource.   "It is a great place to discover ways to be more water conscious," said John Dunn, Water and Pollution Control Department Director.  "There are small steps everyone can do to improve the quality of water in Ames.  This festival provides area residents with the information and tools needed to take action," said Jake Moore, Stormwater Specialist with the Public Works Department. 

Find more information and a speaker schedule at www.cityofames.org/WaterWeb/WaterPlant/CleanWaterFestival.htm


JAX Wild and Scenic Film Festival
Saturday April 24, 7 pm - 11 pm
Sun Room, ISU Memorial Union
JAX Outdoor Gear will host the Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival at 7 pm Saturday April 24 in the Sun Room of the ISU Memorial Union. The film festival features a variety of prize-winning environmentally based short films (see www.jaxmercantile.com/product.php?productid=454733&cat=4765&page=1). An Enviro Fair will be held prior to the film fest at 6 pm and refreshments will be served. Tickets are $6 with proceeds to benefit the Squaw Creek Watershed Coalition.   For more information, call Stacy at JAX, 292-2276, or visit www.wildandscenicfilmfestival.org
  


-- www.skunkriverpaddlers.org
www.squawcreekwatershed.org

Reply | Messages in this Topic (2)
#902 From: Rick Dietz <rsdietz@...>
Date: Thu Apr 22, 2010 3:19 am
Subject: Iowa Rivers Revival Annual Conference 		rsdietz
Send Email Send Email
 

From: Iowa Rivers Revival [mailto:rlehman@...]
Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2010 7:51 AM
To: Iowa Rivers Revival
Subject: IRR e-News

 
IRR Annual Conference – early Registration Deadline April 23

Beyond the River Banks: Celebrating Iowa’s Cedar Valley – April 30-May 2, 2010

 
The Iowa Cedar Valley will be the focus during Iowa Rivers Revival's 5th annual conference in Cedar Falls and Waterloo April 30 – May 2. The conference theme, Beyond the River Banks: Celebrating Iowa's Cedar Valley emphasizes a watershed approach that recognizes that rivers and streams need space to expand and recede, coexisting in harmony with the communities and habitats they shape.  The floods of 2008 and threats of future flooding have many Iowans talking about a new vision for Iowa’s waterways to ensure the safety of river communities and to preserve and enhance Iowa’s natural heritage.  Registrations received after April 23rd are an additional $10.  Early registrations help keep costs down so we can plan and organize materials and meals accordingly. 

 

Friday: 4:30-6:30; The Brown Bottle, 1111 Center St, Cedar Falls

Saturday: Black Hawk County Conservation Board, Airline Community Rm, 1346 West Airline Hwy in Waterloo

Sunday: George Wyth State Park

 

Agenda • On-line Registration (deadline Apr 23) • Registration (deadline Apr 23) • Sponsorship Brochure (deadline Apr 20)- sponsorships can be made on-line at Paypal.com to: rlehman@... • Exhibit Application • River Town of the Year Application

 




Ames Clean Water Festival
Saturday April 24, 10 am - 2 pm
Ames Community Center, 515 Clark Avenue
The Ames Public Works Department, in partnership with the Ames Water and Pollution Control Department, is co-hosting this FREE event which offers a variety of attractions.

The Ames Clean Water Festival emphasizes the importance of water in everyday life and encourages the preservation of this precious resource.   "It is a great place to discover ways to be more water conscious," said John Dunn, Water and Pollution Control Department Director.  "There are small steps everyone can do to improve the quality of water in Ames.  This festival provides area residents with the information and tools needed to take action," said Jake Moore, Stormwater Specialist with the Public Works Department. 

Find more information and a speaker schedule at www.cityofames.org/WaterWeb/WaterPlant/CleanWaterFestival.htm


JAX Wild and Scenic Film Festival
Saturday April 24, 7 pm - 11 pm
Sun Room, ISU Memorial Union
JAX Outdoor Gear will host the Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival at 7 pm Saturday April 24 in the Sun Room of the ISU Memorial Union. The film festival features a variety of prize-winning environmentally based short films (see www.jaxmercantile.com/product.php?productid=454733&cat=4765&page=1). An Enviro Fair will be held prior to the film fest at 6 pm and refreshments will be served. Tickets are $6 with proceeds to benefit the Squaw Creek Watershed Coalition.   For more information, call Stacy at JAX, 292-2276, or visit www.wildandscenicfilmfestival.org
  

-- www.skunkriverpaddlers.org
www.squawcreekwatershed.org

Reply | Messages in this Topic (2)
#903 From: Michael Lazere <mlazere@...>
Date: Thu Apr 22, 2010 3:12 am
Subject: Annual Meeting - Weds 4/28 		mplazere
Send Email Send Email
  
Mark your calendars!

The Squaw Creek Watershed Coalition will hold it's annual meeting on
Weds, April 28th at 7pm in the Community Room at the Ames Public
Library. Rick Cruse,from the Iowa Water Center, will give a talk about
"The Impact of Plant-based Biofuels on Soil and Water Quality" and Erv
Klaas will share information about bacteria levels in Squaw Creek.
The event is free and open to the public.

Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)
#904 From: Michael Lazere <mlazere@...>
Date: Tue Apr 27, 2010 8:39 am
Subject: SCWC Upcoming Events! 		mplazere
Send Email Send Email
 
First of all,I want to welcome the new members to our Squaw Creek Coalition yahoo-groups list.  Thank you for signing up.  We are a small volunteer group who would like to grow.  Please feel free to get involved in any way that you can.  

Speaking of involvement.....

1.  Please come to our Annual Meeting this Weds (4/28) at 7 pm in the Community Room at the Ames Public Library.  Rick Cruse,from the Iowa Water Center, will give a talk about "The Impact of Plant-based Biofuels on Soil and Water Quality" and Erv Klaas will share information about bacteria levels in Squaw Creek. 

2. On Saturday, May 15th we will be coordinating the IOWATER snapshot in the watershed.  There are about 50 sites for which we will do the standard physical/chemical testing, and collect samples for lab analysis of bacteria.   Please feel free to join us whether or not you have done the IOWATER training.  We will meet at Brookside Park at 9 am, then venture out from there.  We generally finish by 1 pm, but you don't have to give up your whole morning if you want to take part.

Please e-mail Rick Dietz at:  rsdietz@...  if you want to take part.  If you are an IOWATER volunteer, check your supplies and expiration dates and let him know what you need.

Hope to see you soon!

Mike Lazere and the SCWC



Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)
#905 From: Rick Dietz <rsdietz@...>
Date: Fri Apr 30, 2010 6:00 pm
Subject: LAST CHANCE for comments regarding proposed stream reclassifications! 		rsdietz
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Today, April 30th, is your last opportunity to comment on the current list of stream segments being proposed for a lower standard of recreational and/or biological use.

It is extremely important that the DNR hear from the public during this review process. In many instances (pretty much every UAA that I've read) the use assessment was not thorough enough to accurately reflect actual and potential uses. Even when comments regarding existing uses and the potential for recreational use are noted in the UAA, they seem to be passed off without further investigation. I also question whether there has been adequate notification that a stream in your community,  neighborhood, or back yard is being being considered for a lower standard of protection.

Please send your comments to Lori today. Be specific when you can but please take the opportunity to voice your concerns no matter how broad.

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: [skunkriverpaddlers] Recreational Use comments needed for Indian Creek!
Date: Sun, 11 Apr 2010 11:20:47 -0500
From: Rick Dietz <rsdietz@...>
To: skunkriverpaddlers <skunkriverpaddlers@yahoogroups.com>


 

Indian Creek is also on the current list of streams to be downgraded from Primary to Secondary Contact Recreational Use. The section being reviewed is from the confluence of East and West Indian Creeks south past Maxwell and Mingo to the confluence with the South Skunk near Colfax. The City of Nevada discharges to West Indian Creek and the City of Maxwell discharges to Rock Creek, a small tributary of Indian Creek.   (See map at http://programs.iowadnr.gov/uaa/resources1/uaa/994/Indian%20Creek%20-%20Recommendation%20Map.pdf).

Very little evidence of recreational use was noted in the three Recreational Use Assessments so it's important that anyone and everyone who has knowledge of such uses submit their comments to the DNR!

Instructions for submitting comments (due April 30) are in this email or you can find them at http://www.iaenvironment.org/waterQuality/waterquality.php.  The allowable concentrations of  E. coli for each Recreational Use Designation can be found at http://www.iowadnr.gov/water/standards/criteria.html.


>From the DNR's Recreational Use Assessment and Attainability Analysis (UAA) of Indian Creek:

VI. CONCLUSION

Fieldwork for preparation of this UA/UAA was conducted on Indian Creek on March 24, 2006. Indian Creek, located in Story, Polk, and Jasper counties, is noted as a perennial stream along its entire length according to the 1:100,000 USGS DLG Data Set. The assessed segment of Indian Creek was from its mouth to the confluence with the East and West Indian creeks (S16, T82N, R22W, Story County). The communities of Nevada and Maxwell discharges treated wastewater indirectly into the creek via West Indian and Rock creeks, respectively. At its mouth, Indian Creek has a drainage area of 413.21 square miles while at the confluence of East and West Indian creeks, the combined drainage area of both streams is approximately 201.05 square miles.

Based on aerial photography, nearly all of the properties along Indian Creek appear to be in private ownership with very short segments flowing near the southern outskirts of the community of Maxwell and the eastern fringe area of the community of Mingo. Eighteen public roads cross the creek within the assessed reach along with four recreational areas in close proximity. From field observations and aerial photography, 23 rural-type residences were noted along or in close proximity to the assessed segment.

The creek’s widths range from 45 to 97 feet and average depths ranging from 6 to 15 inches with a maximum depth of 22 inches. The maximum depth of 22 inches was found in a run area at site (128-3). Moderately deep incised stream banks with steep to near vertical side slopes and bank heights up to approximately 20 feet are common features of the assessed segment. The banks are covered in a mixture of trees, shrubs, herbaceous material, grasses, and bare sandy soil resulting in a moderately open stream canopy. In many areas the large stream widths resulted in a significant portion of the water surface to be relatively open even with forested stream side vegetation.

Solicitation of public input on local recreational activities in Indian Creek noted the following responses;

1) Distributed Post cards – no written responses.

2) Comments via written or Website public response opportunities – no responses

3) Phone Interview – A staff member from the Jasper County Conservation Board indicated that at the Chichaqua Valley Trail, recreational canoeing and kayaking occurs on the creek as users have been seen floating and fishing past the public land, but on very rare occasions, likely during elevated water conditions from upstream private access locations. She noted that these activities may occur in the spring and summer, but that she has seen it maybe only once or twice a year. Fishing does occur, but she was not aware of any seining or kids playing in the creek, except that she has observed shoe prints and worn patches leading to the stream.

4) Phone Interview – A staff member from the DNR indicated that at the Colfax Wildlife Management Area he has never observed swimming, children playing near or in the stream, or canoeing/kayaking in the stream. He believes fishing occurs, but he has never personally observed it.

The relatively shallow water along the assessed creek length (range from 6 to 15 inches during normal flow conditions) was not capable of supporting normal primary recreational uses. No locations were found to have depths greater than 22 inches under normal flow regimes. The shallow water conditions appear to impede the reasonable attainment of primary contact recreation along the entire assessed reach. Primary Contact recreational uses are not considered attainable for Indian Creek due to the lack of flow (as per 40 CFR 131.10(g) (2)) throughout the reach to completely fulfill what is considered a Class A1 primary contact recreational use.

Frequent children’s recreation is not expected due the stream being located in primarily rural agricultural area with heavily vegetated, steep, and more difficult to traverse banks. Therefore, children’s recreation use is not recommended.

While the upper reach of Indian Creek is too shallow to support primary contact recreational uses, it does possess a remote potential of attracting Class A2 Secondary Contact recreational uses particularly associated with fishing, trapping or hunting. Therefore, the Department recommends assigning a Class A2 Secondary Contact recreational use designation for Indian Creek from it mouth (S32, T80N, R20W, Jasper Co.), the confluence with the East and West Indian creeks (S16, T82N, R22W, Story Co.). The Department considers Class A2 to be the highest attainable recreational use designation for this stream reach.

Waters designated as Secondary contact recreational use (Class A2) are;
‘Waters in which recreational or other uses may result in contact with the water that is either incidental or accidental.  During the recreational use, the probability of ingesting appreciable quantities of water is minimal.  Class A2 uses include fishing, commercial and recreational boating, any limited contact incidental to shoreline activities and activities in which users do not swim or float in the waterbody while on a boating activity.’  [567-61.3(1)b(2)]

Recommended Recreational Use Designation:

Primary Use

Secondary Use - See description above

Children’s Recreation

No Recreational Use



Rick Dietz wrote:
The DNR is requesting comments from the public on a third round of stream assessments (see forwarded email below). 

Eighteen miles of Squaw Creek are affected.  The portion of Squaw Creek within Ames would remain designated for A1 Primary Contact use, but a rural section, from our "Glacial Creek" (a tributary in Boone County south of 110th), has been recommended for the A2 Secondary Contact Recreational Use designation.  Indian Creek and Bear Creek (tributaries of the South Skunk) are also on the list.

Here's what I've gleaned from the DNR's Use Assessments and Use Attainability Analysis of Squaw Creek:
  • The field assessments were based on a single visit to six sites in September 2005. Very little evidence of recreational use was observed at the three in-town sites at that time, and no evidence of recreational use was found at the three rural sites (120th, 170th and R38).
  • Thirteen recreational use surveys were submitted for Squaw Creek. Those public comments indicated that the stream does support Primary Contact Recreational uses WITHIN Ames, but only two surveys specifically noted recreational uses OUTSIDE of the city limits (wading at Cameron School Road).
  • Stream depth is another criteria that the DNR uses to help determine if Primary Contact Recreational use is attainable, and only one site (near 6th Street in Ames) met their depth criteria at the time of assessment. The recommendation also noted the lack of of public access to the creek outside of Ames as limiting its potential for recreational use.
I know that public comments have successfully influenced past recommendations, and we know from our own experiences (including many hours of  IOWATER assessments) that recreational uses do occur outside of Ames. 

From http://www.iaenvironment.org/waterQuality/waterquality.php -

DEADLINE FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS IS APRIL 30, 2010
It is important for anyone who has knowledge of the types of recreational activities that take place on any of these 408 streams provide comments to the DNR, especially if they are aware of any primary contact recreational activities on these streams including swimming, children’s play (including wading), canoeing or kayaking. Public comments are critical to ensure the recreational standards will not be lowered for waters that are being used for recreation and children’s play.

Any person may submit written suggestions or comments on the proposed amendment through April 30, 2010. The comment must specify:
1) type of water recreational activity(s) (e.g. canoeing, children’s play, minnow seining, etc.)
2) where the activity(s) took place (e.g. bridge crossing, park, etc.) using Section/Township/Range, latitude/longitude, or map; and
3) frequency the activity(s) occurred and when (e.g. 1/month in the summer of 2002).

Submit Comments by April 30 to:
Lori McDaniel, Iowa
Department of Natural Resources, Wallace State Office Building,
 502 East 9th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50319
 fax (515)281–8895
or E–mail lori.mcdaniel@dnr.iowa.gov  


-------- Original Message --------
Date: Fri, 2 Apr 2010 11:51:26 -0500
From: Laws, Lynn <LynnLaws@iaenvironment.org>

Public Comments Needed!

…on third round of Iowa stream assessments

 

The third round of stream assessments has been completed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR.) As a result, they are proposing to downgrade protections for 408 stream segments!  The DNR is requesting comments from the public on their recommendations to exempt 408 stream segments from recreational use protections. When a stream segment is designated for recreational use, the water is protected from pollution that would be harmful for persons swimming, children’s play and other full body contact.

 

Please go to our website at http://www.iaenvironment.org/waterQuality/waterquality.php to learn how you can help.

 

Thank you!

 

Lynn Laws

Communications Director

Iowa Environmental Council

515-244-1194, ext 210

www.iaenvironment.org

Celebrating 15 Years of Progress

-- 
www.skunkriverpaddlers.org
www.squawcreekwatershed.org

-- www.skunkriverpaddlers.org
www.squawcreekwatershed.org

Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)
#906 From: "Dayton" <heinsight@...>
Date: Wed May 5, 2010 3:18 am
Subject: water retention 		heinsight
Send Email Send Email
  
I wonder what is being done to increase water retention in the area.  Rain
gardens and retention ponds for parking lots can slow the water.  How much more
can we do to reduce flooding and bolster the water supply

Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)
#907 From: Michael Lazere <mlazere@...>
Date: Fri May 7, 2010 4:27 am
Subject: Upcoming IOWATER Workshops 		mplazere
Send Email Send Email
  
fyi


1 of 1 File(s)


Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)
#908 From: Michael Lazere <mlazere@...>
Date: Sun Jun 6, 2010 2:13 am
Subject: Fwd: College Creek Clean Up- Sat, June 19, 1-4pm 		mplazere
Send Email Send Email
 
fyi


Will you please forward to the Squaw Creek Watershed folks?
 
ISU College Creek Clean Up
The second annual ISU College Creek Clean Up will be held on Saturday, June 19 from 1-4pm.  Keep Iowa State Beautiful and the Live Green! Initiative are hosting a litter and debris pick up.  This event is open to anyone (note: children must be supervised by a parent/guardian).  Dress for the weather and bring work gloves if you have them.  Food and water will be provided. 

 

If you have questions, please contact Jennifer Garrett at garrett1@...

 

 

 

 


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Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)
#909 From: Rick Dietz <rsdietz@...>
Date: Tue Jun 15, 2010 2:51 am
Subject: Fw: Hickory Grove Watershed Field Day 		rsdietz
Send Email Send Email
 

--- On Mon, 6/14/10, Danaher, Rose - Nevada, IA <rose.danaher@...> wrote:

From: Danaher, Rose - Nevada, IA <rose.danaher@...>
Subject: Hickory Grove Watershed Field Day
Date: Monday, June 14, 2010, 10:24 AM

Please share with the Squaw Creek Watershed Coalition group!

 

Story County Conservation and the Soil Conservation District Commissioners invite interested citizens to a Hickory Grove Lake Watershed Field Day on June 23 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.  The event will be at Oriole Ridge Lodge on the north side of Hickory Grove Lake southwest of Colo.  There will be door prizes and a dinner served at 5:00 p.m (free will donation).  Learn about the latest in soil conservation agricultural equipment and practices.  Equipment will be on hand to inspect.  The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will be on hand to discuss the latest in fish management objectives for Hickory Grove Lake and the Iowa Lake Restoration Program.  ISU’s Iowa Learning Farm will be on hand with their educational Conservation Station.  Practical Farmers of Iowa will share the latest in sustainable agriculture practices.  Pedal boats and fishing poles will be available at the site for families to enjoy while attending the event.  Oriole Ridge offers plenty of covered space, so the event will be held rain or shine!

 

Thanks,

Rose

         Rose Danaher

                         Conservation Specialist

                            untitled   

 Story County Soil and Water Conservation District

                                510 S. 11th St.

                           Nevada, Iowa 50201

                               (515) 382-2217

                  rose.danaher@...

 


1 of 1 File(s)


Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)
#910 From: Rick Dietz <rsdietz@...>
Date: Wed Jul 21, 2010 5:32 pm
Subject: Fw: INVITATION -- Campaign Kick-Off Party & Rally - Iowa's Water & Land Legacy 		rsdietz
Send Email Send Email
 
The Executive Boards of the Squaw Creek Watershed Coalition and the Skunk River Paddlers have elected to join the Iowa Water & Land Legacy Campaign. These folks have been actively promoting the proposed legislation and we need to show our support!

--- On Wed, 7/21/10, Iowa's Water & Land Legacy, a project of The Conservation Campaign <iowaswaterandlandlegacy@...> wrote:

From: Iowa's Water & Land Legacy, a project of The Conservation Campaign <iowaswaterandlandlegacy@...>
Subject: INVITATION -- Campaign Kick-Off Party & Rally - Iowa's Water & Land Legacy
Date: Wednesday, July 21, 2010, 10:15 AM

Contribute_Button
INVITATION - Campaign Kick-Off & Rally
August 6, 2010 - 5:30 PM
       
A Project of The Conservation Campaign

In This Issue
Campaign Kick-Off Party
Directions to the Event

Get Involved!
What you can do to make a difference for Iowa!

facebookfacebookfacebookfacebook
Join us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Visit our YouTube page
See our Flickr Gallery

Contribute to the campaign
 
Dear Rick,

It's almost August, the temperature is rising, and it's time to kick-off Iowa's Water IWiLL Logo& Land Legacy's "Vote Yes on Question #1" campaign the right way.  What's the best way to kick-off a campaign?  Free food & drink courtesy of The Nature Conservancy & Iowa's Water and Land Legacy.

Campaign Kick-Off Rally

Vote Yes Graphic
WHAT:Invite
IOWA'S WATER & LAND LEGACY
"CAMPAIGN KICK-OFF" PARTY
(FREE FOOD/DRINK)

WHEN:
5:30 PM - FRIDAY, AUGUST 6, 2010

WHERE:
EMBASSY SUITES HOTEL
101 E. LOCUST STREET  DES MOINES, IA

The Nature Conservancy has kindly invited the campaign to use their annual meeting as an opportunity to rally support for Iowa's Water and Land Legacy. TNC is hosting a party to thank all of our coalition partners and get everyone fired up for victory in November!  We have just over 3 months to go before Election Day and now's the time to come together and let Iowans know about the historic "once in a lifetime" opportunity we have to VOTE YES on QUESTION #1 this November.
 
Please forward this invitation to your membership lists.  We have over 120 members of the coalition and if every member were to get five (5) people to attendwe'd have a real party!  So, tell your members, neighbors, friends and co-workers to come out for free food & drinks on August 6th and celebrate our campaign kick-off!

Forward this email
 
So, please spread the word and RSVP to Mark Langgin/Campaign Manager @ iowaswaterandlandlegacy@...  or 515-707-0266.
Help us "Raise the Roof" for the Rally

We have a goal of raising $1000 online between now and August 6th to help offset the costs of the rally.  When you get 200+ people together it's a big party!

Please contribute $25, $50, or $100 today to help us "Raise the Roof" for our Campaign Kick-Off party. 

Contribute_Button

Find us on Facebook

Thank you in advance for your help and please contact me, or Rosalyn Lehman (rlehman@...), if you have any questions!

Sincerely,

Mark Langgin - Campaign Manager
 
PO Box 93176
Des Moines, Iowa 50393-3176
Iowa's Water & Land Legacy, a project of The Conservation Campaign

Paid for by Iowa's Water and Land Legacy, a project of The Conservation Campaign.
PO BOX 93176 · Des Moines, IA 50393-3176
©Copyright 2010 Iowa's Water and Land Legacy. All Rights Reserved.


Safe Unsubscribe
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Iowa's Water & Land Legacy, a project of The Conservation Campaign | PO Box 93176 | Des Moines | IA | 50393-3176

Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)
#911 From: Rick Dietz <rsdietz@...>
Date: Tue Aug 3, 2010 9:19 pm
Subject: Fw: IWILL Campaign Kick-Off Party, Friday, August 6th 		rsdietz
Send Email Send Email
 
--- On Tue, 8/3/10, Rosalyn Lehman <rlehman@...> wrote:

Good afternoon, IWILL friends,

 

Please help us pack the house for the IWILL Campaign Kick-Off Party, Friday, August 6th.  Please forward this invitation to your membership lists encouraging them to attend in support of this historical opportunity to help restore and preserve Iowa’s natural resources!  We have over 120 members of the coalition and if every member were to get five (5) people to attend we'd have a real party!  So, tell your members, neighbors, friends and co-workers to come out for free food & drinks on August 6th and celebrate our campaign kick-off!

 

Thanks,

Roz

_______________________________________

 

It's time to kick-off Iowa's Water & Land Legacy's "Vote Yes on Question #1" campaign the right way.  This is a chance to conserve Iowa's natural areas for future generations, reduce/mitigate future flooding, and grow our state.  Join us on Friday, August 6th at 5:30 PM at the Embassy Suites for Iowa’s Water and Land Legacy “Kick-Off Party!†

 

The Nature Conservancy has kindly invited the campaign to use their annual meeting as an opportunity to rally support for Iowa's Water and Land Legacy. TNC is hosting a party to thank all of our (120+) coalition organizations and get everyone fired up for victory in November!  We have just over 3 months to go before Election Day and now's the time to come together and let Iowans know about the historic "once in a lifetime" opportunity we have to VOTE YES on QUESTION #1 this November.
 
So, please spread the word and RSVP to Mark Langgin/Campaign Manager @ iowaswaterandlandlegacy@...  or 515-707-0266. You've heard about the Iowa Water & Land Legacy "Campaign Kick-Off Party" and now it's time to tell your friends, neighbors, co-workers & family!

 

How do we get the word out?  How can you help?  Send this email to a friend!

 

What's the best way to kick-off a campaign?  Free food & drink courtesy of The Nature Conservancy & Iowa's Water and Land Legacy - August 6, 2010 - 5:30 PM at Embassy Suites in Des Moines, IA.

 

Campaign Kick-Off Rally

 

WHAT:                 IOWA'S WATER & LAND LEGACY "CAMPAIGN KICK-OFF" PARTY (FREE FOOD/DRINK)

 

WHEN:                 5:30 PM - FRIDAY, AUGUST 6, 2010

 

WHERE:                EMBASSY SUITES HOTEL, 101 E. LOCUST STREET  DES MOINES, IA

 

RSVP:                    Mark Langgin/Campaign Manager @ iowaswaterandlandlegacy@...  or 515-707-0266


Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)
#912 From: Michael Sundberg <mikesund88@...>
Date: Fri Sep 10, 2010 2:07 am
Subject: college creek oil spill 		mikesund88
Send Email Send Email
 
College creek has a blue oily sheen at the location where it goes under Beach road on ISU campus. Does anyone know what the source of this might be?


2 of 2 Photo(s)


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#913 From: Rick Dietz <rsdietz@...>
Date: Sat Oct 9, 2010 12:29 am
Subject: Fwd: Assist with River Protection/America's Great Outdoors publicity? 		rsdietz
Send Email Send Email
 
I'm forwarding a message from the American Rivers organization asking for someone to submit an Op-Ed to the DM Register in support of the President's American Great Outdoors Initiative. I've already sent a letter of personal support - from the American Rivers website I think. 

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Assist with River Protection/America's Great Outdoors publicity?
Date: Fri, 8 Oct 2010 21:10:58 +0000
From: Evan Manvel <EManvel@...>
To: 'execboard@...' <execboard@...>


Allies at the Skunk River Paddlers-
Sorry to send an email to y'all, but I've been having trouble finding someone in Iowa to submit an Op-Ed in support of river protection and recreation, and thought you might help.
Brief Background
We have a key chance to influence the Obama administration on river protection issues – and leave a legacy for our children.
The President's America's Great Outdoors Initiative is a critical opportunity to enhance stewardship of our nation's rivers and increase opportunities for the public to enjoy them. Echoing the efforts of Teddy Roosevelt’s administration over100 years ago, the Obama Administration is reaching out to the public to listen to our priorities in setting a strong conservation agenda.
Just as Roosevelt’s efforts led to the creation of five national parks and the protection of the Grand Canyon, as well as a host of national forests and monuments, we’re working to get the Obama Administration to take bold action. Specifically, we’re asking the Administration to launch a National Blueways Initiative to improve recreation and protect river corridors and to designate more places as wild and scenic rivers.
We need your help to convince our nation's leaders to act boldly to protect our outdoor heritage. Having a strong turnout of people who know and appreciate our rivers will be key to having the Administration take action.
More Background
President Obama established the America's Great Outdoors (AGO) initiative in April to develop a conservation and recreation agenda that will reconnect Americans with our great outdoors. The Administration's first step in the AGO initiative is to listen to those of us who are actually using public lands and waters. AGO events were organized across the nation this summer. Some events were officially held by the Administration, while others were held by organizations including river advocacy groups like ours, with Administration attendance.

This is a key opportunity to provide direct input from our community – canoeists and kayakers, hunters and fishers, hikers and backpackers – to decision makers in Washington. With your input we can better guide the decisions that affect your favorite rivers, routes, trails and wild places.
For additional background, see the American Rivers page here:
And the official administration page here:
YOUR HELP
We see public support of river protection and recreation as a key piece at this point in the campaign. We think final decisions about the Administration's direction will be taken by mid-to-late October, so we're looking to submit these op-eds ASAP. We've love it if you could submit an Op-Ed to the Des Moines Register talking about the importance of water trails and river protection in Iowa. I've drafted something and can work with you on language.
If you can let me know by Monday whether this is something you're interested in doing, that would be fabulous.
Thanks for your time - and sorry for the short notice.
Regards,
Evan


--
Evan Manvel
American Rivers

(503) 515-8548

 
 
Evan Manvel
America's Great Outdoors Grassroots Organizer
American Rivers
(503) 515-8548 (c)
 
Share your favorite river photos with us at www.AmericanRivers.org/photoupload
 
 

Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)
#914 From: Gaylan Crim <gbcrim@...>
Date: Wed Nov 3, 2010 3:42 am
Subject: Errington Lecture 		gbcrim
Send Email Send Email
 


Reply | Messages in this Topic (2)
#915 From: Rick Dietz <rsdietz@...>
Date: Sat Feb 26, 2011 8:47 pm
Subject: Fwd: 2011 Flood Outlook (Mar 2) and Ames Reads Leopold + ¡ÈGreen Fire¡É film (Mar 6) 		rsdietz
Send Email Send Email
 
Briefing on Spring Precipitation and Flooding Outlooks

Wednesday, March 2, 6:00-8:00 pm

Iowa State Historical Building, 600 E. Locust, Des Moines

Is the stage set for another wet spring?

What is the risk of flooding in Iowa this spring?

 

The ISU Climate Science Program and Iowa Flood Center will co¡¾host a public information briefing to discuss Iowa spring rainfall and flood outlooks. The program will present newly developed flood information services for communities, an update on recent legislative activities, and spring outlooks from national and local weather experts. The brief presentations will be followed by a question and answer session and reception to encourage further discussion.

 

Agenda

 

Welcoming Remarks

Dr. Richard Cruse

Director, Iowa Water Center

 

Connecting recent changes in Iowa precipitation to floods

Dr. Eugene S. Takle, Director, ISU Climate Science Program

 

Community centric flood information system

Dr. Witold Krajewski, Director, Iowa Flood Center

 

Midwest Spring Precipitation and Temperature Outlook

Ed O¡ÇLenic, Chief of Operations, NOAA Climate Prediction Center

 

Midwest Spring Flood Outlook

Steve Buan, Service Coordination Hydrologist, NOAA North Central River Forecast Center

 

Iowa Spring Flood Outlook

Jeff Zogg, Hydrologist National Weather Service Des Moines Weather Forecast Office

 

Update on Iowa Legislative Activities

Susan Judkins Josten, Rebuild Iowa Office

 

Question and answer session followed by reception

 

For more information, contact: Chris Anderson, 515¡¾294¡¾9948, cjames@...

And visit our website at http://www.biorenew.iastate.edu/events/cpas2011.html

 
(or try http://www.iowafloodcenter.org/events/2680/)

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


Ames Tribune > Sports

Outdoors Notebook: ¡ÆAmes Reads Leopold¡Ç March 6

Published: Friday, February 25, 2011 5:40 PM CST
Curt Meine¡Çs documentary film about Aldo Leopold, ¡ÈGreen Fire,¡É will be shown for the first time in Iowa during ¡ÈAmes Reads Leopold¡É at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 6, at Ames Public Library, 515 Douglas Ave.

The film is a new documentary that details Leopold¡Çs life, including his view on land ethics and how he chose to implement those ideas into his everyday thinking. Excerpts from ¡ÈA Sand County Almanac¡É also will be read aloud in conjunction with the movie. The event is free and open to the public.

The Ames event joins similar celebrations in other communities during the first weekend in March when people gather to hear Leopold¡Çs writings read aloud and demonstrate their commitment to his vision.

To learn more about ¡ÈAldo Leopold Weekends,¡É visit www.aldoleopold.org.

Source: http://www.amestrib.com/articles/2011/02/26/ames_tribune/sports/outdoors/doc4d683d5143181280242744.prt

 

"We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect. ~Aldo Leopold, A Sand County Almanac"
¡½ Aldo Leopold


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


And this -

2011 Iowa Water Conference  "More Water to Manage"
March 7-8, 2011
Scheman Continuing Education Building
Iowa State University


http://www.aep.iastate.edu/iwc/


Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)
#916 From: Rick Dietz <rsdietz@...>
Date: Tue Mar 1, 2011 10:46 pm
Subject: Fwd: Water quality at risk! 		rsdietz
Send Email Send Email
 

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Water quality at risk!
Date: Tue, 1 Mar 2011 14:54:52 -0600
From: Iowa Rivers Revival <rlehman@...>


Good afternoon,

 

Governor Branstad needs to hear from Iowans today!  515.281.5211 or http://www.governor.iowa.gov/contact/

 

Our hopes for a future with clean water in Iowa are dimming.  Efforts to improve water quality are being threatened by several bills and by a recent Farm Bureau lawsuit attempting to overturn the water quality anti-degradation rules that took years of work to complete and pass. 

 

·         HSB 180 – the most foreboding bill that could impact water quality, transfers the authority for water monitoring and protection from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS).  It would also transfer the entire 319 EPA funded Non-Point Source Water Pollution program from IDNR to IDALS.  At a time when “less spending and government efficiency” is the message coming from legislative leaders – this transfer is unnecessary and costly, requiring planning, hiring and duplication that the taxpayer can ill afford, while turning over water protection to an agency whose primary function is to serve and promote agriculture.

 

o   According to an Iowa Department of Administrations publication, “The object of the [Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship] is to encourage, promote, market, and advance the interests of agriculture, including production practices, such as organic or conventional, that may lead to direct marketing of raw product and value-added goods.”

 

o   The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is the government agency that leads Iowans in caring for their natural resources. It is responsible for maintaining state parks and forests, protecting the environment, and managing energy, fish, wildlife, and land and water resources in Iowa.  The DNR's mission:   To conserve and enhance our natural resources in cooperation with individuals and organizations to improve the quality of life for Iowans and ensure a legacy for future generations.

 

Democracy in Iowa will be poorly served by this change, which would result in no oversight from the Governor or the citizen commission who both represent all Iowa interests in clean water.  The Governor has the authority to move the EPA 319 programs by executive order to any state agency.

 

Contact Governor Branstad today – urge him to oppose HSB 180 and leave the EPA 319 program and other critical water quality programs with the IDNR.
 Governor Terry Branstad:   515.281.5211 or http://www.governor.iowa.gov/contact/

 

SUMMARY

Call or write your legislative leaders today.  Inquire about their next in-district forum and try to attend if available.  We have to initiate the lines of communication and education with our policy leaders if we expect them to look out for rivers. 

 

Iowa General Assembly (find a bill):  http://www.legis.iowa.gov/index.aspx

Iowa Senators and Representatives:  Find your legislators (if you would like a spreadsheet of all the current legislators, please let me know)

Iowa Senate:  515.281.3371

Iowa House: 515.281.3221

 

Please share this legislative update with individuals, organizations or groups that would be interested in receiving this information.

 

Thank you!

 

Rosalyn Lehman

Executive Director

Iowa Rivers Revival

PO Box 72, Des Moines, IA 50301

515-202-7720

rlehman@...  |  www.iowarivers.org


Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)
#917 From: Rick Dietz <rsdietz@...>
Date: Wed Mar 9, 2011 10:45 pm
Subject: Water Quality and IDALS 		rsdietz
Send Email Send Email
 
Those who are concerned about water quality in Iowa will want to read this Legislative Update from the Iowa Rivers Revival organization...

And you can still submit your comments from the Iowa Environmental Councils webpage at http://capwiz.com/iaenvironment/home/.
(http://capwiz.com/iaenvironment/issues/alert/?alertid=32131506&PROCESS=Take+Action)

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: IRR Legislative Update 3-9-11
Date: Wed, 9 Mar 2011 10:36:14 -0600
From: Iowa Rivers Revival <rlehman@...>


IRR Legislative Update from Jerry Peckumn, Board Chair

March 9, 2011

 

First funnel ended last week, March 3rd – meaning a bill had to make it out of committee for it to be still considered “alive” during this legislative session.  We still have some work to do!

 

The move by Republican legislators and the Governor to move water quality programs from the DNR to IDALS brings thoughts of conflict of interest.  As many of you know I am a longtime farmer and have a long agricultural heritage.  My son and I raise corn, soybeans, hay, and cattle.  Farming is a very competitive business requiring ever increasing production and reducing input costs at every opportunity.  Maximizing profits, essentially on a short-term basis, creates a challenge in conserving soil and protecting water.  The Department of Agriculture cannot promote farming and regulate water quality for all Iowans at the same time.  There is an inherent conflict of interest.

 

Last night I tried for an hour to call in Governor Branstad who was on the WHO radio for now scheduled once a month call in.  The phone rang with no answer, then was busy even as I recalled continuously.  No one got through to talk about clean water.  Public input is difficult and this shows the great need to make calls to the Governor’s office and talk to someone about the importance of clean water, clean air, and funding for DNR programs.  The Governor’s budget shows a drastic cut in the DNR budget for 2013-we will not have a functioning DNR if this comes to past.

 

The DEGREDATION of the DNR – THREATS to WATER QUALITY:

 

1)      Governor Branstad proposes to move the 319 program from the DNR to Iowa Department of Agriculture (IDALS).  The Governor has sole authority to move this program to whatever agency he desires. 

a.       Clean Water Act (CWA) established the Section 319 Nonpoint Source Management Program under the Environmental Protection Agency.  Section 319 addresses the need for greater federal leadership to help focus state and local nonpoint source efforts. Under Section 319, states, territories and tribes receive grant money that supports a wide variety of activities including technical assistance, financial assistance, education, training, technology transfer, demonstration projects and monitoring to assess the success of specific nonpoint source implementation projects.

·   http://www.epa.gov/owow_keep/NPS/cwact.html

·   http://www.epa.gov/owow/NPS/sec319cwa.html  

b.      Programs affected by the transfer: moves $2.9 million to IDALS to do monitoring; transfers this function from DNR and all its supported programs:

·   Beach Monitoring

·   Fish Tissue Monitoring

·   Groundwater Monitoring

·   IOWATER

·   Lake Monitoring

·   Project AWARE

·   Stream chemistry and biology (fish communities and other organisms)

·   Watershed Access/Data Access – technology

·   Wetland monitoring

 

2)      Transfer of TMDL and water quality programs from the DNR to IDALS.

a.       This transfer is unprecedented.  No state* in the country has their Secretary of Agriculture delegating water quality responsibilities.

·   *Tennessee’s is the only state where the Department of Agricultures runs the 319 program.

b.      Why IDALS, why now?  DNR has a great staff and does a good job.  At a time when “less spending and government efficiency” is the message coming from legislative leaders – this transfer is unnecessary and costly-requiring planning, hiring and duplication that the taxpayer can ill afford, while turning over water protection to an agency whose primary function is to serve and promote agriculture.

·   This transfer would cause at least a 2 year delay in any water quality improvement due to staff development and administrative restructuring.  Iowa’s water resources cannot afford this delay.

·   All monitoring would be VOLUNTARY not REGULATORY <is this right?>.

·   According to an Iowa Department of Administrations publication, “The object of the [Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship] is to encourage, promote, market, and advance the interests of agriculture, including production practices, such as organic or conventional, that may lead to direct marketing of raw product and value-added goods.”

1.       What does the IDALS do?  http://www.iowaagriculture.gov/whatWeDo.asp

·   The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is the government agency that leads Iowans in caring for their natural resources. It is responsible for maintaining state parks and forests, protecting the environment, and managing energy, fish, wildlife, and land and water resources in Iowa.  The DNR's mission:   To conserve and enhance our natural resources in cooperation with individuals and organizations to improve the quality of life for Iowans and ensure a legacy for future generations.

 

3)      YOU CAN HELP!

a.       Contact the Governor and HOUSE members.

b.      Message:  DNR are the water quality experts!

 

LOBBYIST REPORT from Don Brazelton

 

River Programs.  Our request to have the DNR Rivers Program present to the Transportation and Infrastructure Appropriations Subcommittee was turned down.  We will be starting the process of contacting individual members on that subcommittee to seek some funding for the Rivers & Dam Mitigation Program.  This bill will likely be one of the last few bills passed at the end of this year’s session.

 

HF 45, TAXPAYER FIRST ACT. Awaits Governor’s signature

 

HF 51, REAP SPENDING.  REAP FORMULA CHANGE.  Didn’t get out of HNRC. 

 

HSB 74, BOTTLE BILL REPEAL.  Didn’t get out of HEPC.  SF 249.UNIVERSAL RECYCLING & BOTTLE BILL REPEAL.  Didn’t get out of comm.

-          What does a Bottle Bill have to do with healthy rivers? Blog by Sara Strassman, American Rivers, Director, River Restoration, Upper Midwest

 

HSB 180, ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS TRANSFER.  Transfers the Clean Water Act, the Water Resources Coordinating Council, the Manure Application Management, the Total Maximum Daily Loads and the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permits from the DNR to the Dept of Ag.  HEPC.

 

SSB 1126, HSB 148, WATER RESOURCES COUNCIL.  Moves the Water Resources Coordinating Council to the Dept of Ag and makes the Secretary of Ag the chair.  Amended & Passed SAgC.  (could include the following: transfers the Clean Water Act, the Water Resources Coordinating Council, the Total Maximum Daily Loads and the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permits from the DNR to the Dept of Ag). 

 

SF 53, HF 163, WATERSHEDS.  Appropriates $3 mil for watershed planning.  Requires the DNR to establish goals for reducing flood damage through retention structures or wetlands.  Requires the Water Resource Coordinating Council to submit reports to the Legislature on landowner incentives and state watershed programs.  Appropriates $30 million for voluntary watershed management grants.  Appropriates $4.2 million to DALS for watershed project technical assistance to landowners, soil and water conservation districts, county conservation boards and DNR;  $2 million to DNR for floodplain management; $50,000 to DNR to a mentor network program for floodplain managers; and $1.3 million to the Regents for the Iowa Flood Center at UI.  Requires Emergency Mgt Div (EMD) to work with the DNR to educate cities & counties on the community rating system in the FEMA flood insurance program.  Requires EMD to provide matching funds to cities in federal disaster areas due to flooding and to develop a pre-disaster mitigation grant program.  Passed SNRC.  Goes to SAC.  More work needs to be done on bill. 

 

HF 500 (formerly HSB 48), EPC & NRC RULEMAKING.  Transfers the rulemaking authority of the NRC and the EPC to the director of the DNR.  Eligible for H debate.

 

HSB 190, AG & NATURAL RESOURCES APPROPRIATIONS.  This is the House version of the appropriations for agriculture and natural resources.  Passed HAC.  Bill is to start in the S.

 

HF 485 (formerly HF 181), ADMINISTRATIVE RULES.  Establishes a 5-year sunset for all administrative rules. Rescinds all rules in effect on July 1 2011 as of July 1 2016. Allows any House or Senate committee to review any administrative rule and make recommendations.  Passed HEGC.

 

SF 7, HF 78, BLOOD ALCOHOL LIMIT - BOATING.  Sets the blood alcohol limit at .08 for motorboats or sailboats operating while intoxicated offenses.  Both bills in HNR subcom-J Smith, Baudler, Steckman.

 

SUMMARY

 

Governor Terry Brandstad:   515.281.5211 or http://www.governor.iowa.gov/contact/

Iowa General Assembly (find a bill):  http://www.legis.iowa.gov/index.aspx

Iowa Senators and Representatives:  Find your legislators (if you would like a spreadsheet of all the current legislators, please let me know)

Iowa Senate:  515.281.3371

Iowa House: 515.281.3221

 

Please share this legislative update with individuals, organizations or groups that would be interested in receiving this information.

 

Thank you!

 

Rosalyn Lehman

Executive Director

Iowa Rivers Revival

PO Box 72, Des Moines, IA 50301

515-202-7720

rlehman@...  |  www.iowarivers.org


Reply | Messages in this Topic (2)
#918 From: Rick Dietz <rsdietz@...>
Date: Wed Mar 9, 2011 10:46 pm
Subject: Water Quality and IDALS 		rsdietz
Send Email Send Email
 
Those who are concerned about water quality in Iowa will want to read this Legislative Update from the Iowa Rivers Revival organization...

And you can still submit your comments at http://capwiz.com/iaenvironment/home/ 
(http://capwiz.com/iaenvironment/issues/alert/?alertid=32131506&PROCESS=Take+Action)

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: IRR Legislative Update 3-9-11
Date: Wed, 9 Mar 2011 10:36:14 -0600
From: Iowa Rivers Revival <rlehman@...>


IRR Legislative Update from Jerry Peckumn, Board Chair

March 9, 2011

 

First funnel ended last week, March 3rd – meaning a bill had to make it out of committee for it to be still considered “alive” during this legislative session.  We still have some work to do!

 

The move by Republican legislators and the Governor to move water quality programs from the DNR to IDALS brings thoughts of conflict of interest.  As many of you know I am a longtime farmer and have a long agricultural heritage.  My son and I raise corn, soybeans, hay, and cattle.  Farming is a very competitive business requiring ever increasing production and reducing input costs at every opportunity.  Maximizing profits, essentially on a short-term basis, creates a challenge in conserving soil and protecting water.  The Department of Agriculture cannot promote farming and regulate water quality for all Iowans at the same time.  There is an inherent conflict of interest.

 

Last night I tried for an hour to call in Governor Branstad who was on the WHO radio for now scheduled once a month call in.  The phone rang with no answer, then was busy even as I recalled continuously.  No one got through to talk about clean water.  Public input is difficult and this shows the great need to make calls to the Governor’s office and talk to someone about the importance of clean water, clean air, and funding for DNR programs.  The Governor’s budget shows a drastic cut in the DNR budget for 2013-we will not have a functioning DNR if this comes to past.

 

The DEGREDATION of the DNR – THREATS to WATER QUALITY:

 

1)      Governor Branstad proposes to move the 319 program from the DNR to Iowa Department of Agriculture (IDALS).  The Governor has sole authority to move this program to whatever agency he desires. 

a.       Clean Water Act (CWA) established the Section 319 Nonpoint Source Management Program under the Environmental Protection Agency.  Section 319 addresses the need for greater federal leadership to help focus state and local nonpoint source efforts. Under Section 319, states, territories and tribes receive grant money that supports a wide variety of activities including technical assistance, financial assistance, education, training, technology transfer, demonstration projects and monitoring to assess the success of specific nonpoint source implementation projects.

·   http://www.epa.gov/owow_keep/NPS/cwact.html

·   http://www.epa.gov/owow/NPS/sec319cwa.html  

b.      Programs affected by the transfer: moves $2.9 million to IDALS to do monitoring; transfers this function from DNR and all its supported programs:

·   Beach Monitoring

·   Fish Tissue Monitoring

·   Groundwater Monitoring

·   IOWATER

·   Lake Monitoring

·   Project AWARE

·   Stream chemistry and biology (fish communities and other organisms)

·   Watershed Access/Data Access – technology

·   Wetland monitoring

 

2)      Transfer of TMDL and water quality programs from the DNR to IDALS.

a.       This transfer is unprecedented.  No state* in the country has their Secretary of Agriculture delegating water quality responsibilities.

·   *Tennessee’s is the only state where the Department of Agricultures runs the 319 program.

b.      Why IDALS, why now?  DNR has a great staff and does a good job.  At a time when “less spending and government efficiency” is the message coming from legislative leaders – this transfer is unnecessary and costly-requiring planning, hiring and duplication that the taxpayer can ill afford, while turning over water protection to an agency whose primary function is to serve and promote agriculture.

·   This transfer would cause at least a 2 year delay in any water quality improvement due to staff development and administrative restructuring.  Iowa’s water resources cannot afford this delay.

·   All monitoring would be VOLUNTARY not REGULATORY <is this right?>.

·   According to an Iowa Department of Administrations publication, “The object of the [Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship] is to encourage, promote, market, and advance the interests of agriculture, including production practices, such as organic or conventional, that may lead to direct marketing of raw product and value-added goods.”

1.       What does the IDALS do?  http://www.iowaagriculture.gov/whatWeDo.asp

·   The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is the government agency that leads Iowans in caring for their natural resources. It is responsible for maintaining state parks and forests, protecting the environment, and managing energy, fish, wildlife, and land and water resources in Iowa.  The DNR's mission:   To conserve and enhance our natural resources in cooperation with individuals and organizations to improve the quality of life for Iowans and ensure a legacy for future generations.

 

3)      YOU CAN HELP!

a.       Contact the Governor and HOUSE members.

b.      Message:  DNR are the water quality experts!

 

LOBBYIST REPORT from Don Brazelton

 

River Programs.  Our request to have the DNR Rivers Program present to the Transportation and Infrastructure Appropriations Subcommittee was turned down.  We will be starting the process of contacting individual members on that subcommittee to seek some funding for the Rivers & Dam Mitigation Program.  This bill will likely be one of the last few bills passed at the end of this year’s session.

 

HF 45, TAXPAYER FIRST ACT. Awaits Governor’s signature

 

HF 51, REAP SPENDING.  REAP FORMULA CHANGE.  Didn’t get out of HNRC. 

 

HSB 74, BOTTLE BILL REPEAL.  Didn’t get out of HEPC.  SF 249.UNIVERSAL RECYCLING & BOTTLE BILL REPEAL.  Didn’t get out of comm.

-          What does a Bottle Bill have to do with healthy rivers? Blog by Sara Strassman, American Rivers, Director, River Restoration, Upper Midwest

 

HSB 180, ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS TRANSFER.  Transfers the Clean Water Act, the Water Resources Coordinating Council, the Manure Application Management, the Total Maximum Daily Loads and the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permits from the DNR to the Dept of Ag.  HEPC.

 

SSB 1126, HSB 148, WATER RESOURCES COUNCIL.  Moves the Water Resources Coordinating Council to the Dept of Ag and makes the Secretary of Ag the chair.  Amended & Passed SAgC.  (could include the following: transfers the Clean Water Act, the Water Resources Coordinating Council, the Total Maximum Daily Loads and the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permits from the DNR to the Dept of Ag). 

 

SF 53, HF 163, WATERSHEDS.  Appropriates $3 mil for watershed planning.  Requires the DNR to establish goals for reducing flood damage through retention structures or wetlands.  Requires the Water Resource Coordinating Council to submit reports to the Legislature on landowner incentives and state watershed programs.  Appropriates $30 million for voluntary watershed management grants.  Appropriates $4.2 million to DALS for watershed project technical assistance to landowners, soil and water conservation districts, county conservation boards and DNR;  $2 million to DNR for floodplain management; $50,000 to DNR to a mentor network program for floodplain managers; and $1.3 million to the Regents for the Iowa Flood Center at UI.  Requires Emergency Mgt Div (EMD) to work with the DNR to educate cities & counties on the community rating system in the FEMA flood insurance program.  Requires EMD to provide matching funds to cities in federal disaster areas due to flooding and to develop a pre-disaster mitigation grant program.  Passed SNRC.  Goes to SAC.  More work needs to be done on bill. 

 

HF 500 (formerly HSB 48), EPC & NRC RULEMAKING.  Transfers the rulemaking authority of the NRC and the EPC to the director of the DNR.  Eligible for H debate.

 

HSB 190, AG & NATURAL RESOURCES APPROPRIATIONS.  This is the House version of the appropriations for agriculture and natural resources.  Passed HAC.  Bill is to start in the S.

 

HF 485 (formerly HF 181), ADMINISTRATIVE RULES.  Establishes a 5-year sunset for all administrative rules. Rescinds all rules in effect on July 1 2011 as of July 1 2016. Allows any House or Senate committee to review any administrative rule and make recommendations.  Passed HEGC.

 

SF 7, HF 78, BLOOD ALCOHOL LIMIT - BOATING.  Sets the blood alcohol limit at .08 for motorboats or sailboats operating while intoxicated offenses.  Both bills in HNR subcom-J Smith, Baudler, Steckman.

 

SUMMARY

 

Governor Terry Brandstad:   515.281.5211 or http://www.governor.iowa.gov/contact/

Iowa General Assembly (find a bill):  http://www.legis.iowa.gov/index.aspx

Iowa Senators and Representatives:  Find your legislators (if you would like a spreadsheet of all the current legislators, please let me know)

Iowa Senate:  515.281.3371

Iowa House: 515.281.3221

 

Please share this legislative update with individuals, organizations or groups that would be interested in receiving this information.

 

Thank you!

 

Rosalyn Lehman

Executive Director

Iowa Rivers Revival

PO Box 72, Des Moines, IA 50301

515-202-7720

rlehman@...  |  www.iowarivers.org


Reply | Messages in this Topic (2)
#919 From: Rick Dietz <rsdietz@...>
Date: Tue Mar 15, 2011 5:47 pm
Subject: Fwd: (IMPORTANT) IRR Legislative Update 3-15-11 		rsdietz
Send Email Send Email
 
I hope you don't feel bombarded with these emails (and I know some of you receive them directly from the IRR, IEC and other sources), but I think it's really important that we be heard. I feel the same as Jerry, that most of our legislators (and most of the general public) have no idea how extensive these programs are or what the impacts of this legislation would be. They've not even attempted to justify the transfer other than to say they think they can save some money.

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: IRR Legislative Update 3-15-11
Date: Tue, 15 Mar 2011 12:07:37 -0500
From: Iowa Rivers Revival <rlehman@...>


IRR Legislative Update from Jerry Peckumn, Board Chair

March 15, 2011

 

Many legislators do not know how far reaching SF 500 and HF 643 are in dismantling DNR water programs.  The bills would not only move the Water Resources Council to the Department of Agriculture but also the 319 EPA program for voluntary non-point source protection and all of the water monitoring funding to the Department of Agriculture!  This includes even Project Aware funding.  HF 643 passed the House and has gone to the Senate, the only lobbyists registering in favor of this bill work for the Iowa Farm Bureau.  An almost identical bill came out of the Senate Ag committee with full support of both Democrats and Republicans.  Again the only lobbyists registered in favor of this bill work for the Iowa Farm Bureau.  This bill needs to be vetted better as many do not know how dramatic it would change clean water programs in Iowa and the tremendous cost to the tax payer to make the administrative change.  This bill only makes sense if agriculture wants to control the message.  The Senate Appropriations Committee now is reviewing the bill.  Committee members need to hear how bad SF 500 is, and how important water monitoring and water quality are to Iowa.  Contact the Senate Appropriations Committee.

 

There is no money for rivers in the budget this year.  We are still asking for an appropriation for River Restoration and Dam mitigation.  Our best hopes are our friends in the Senate now, as the House will not consider an appropriation.  Continue to call or visit your Senators and make key contacts to members of the Infrastructure Budget Subcommittee:  Senator Matt McCoy, Senator Daryl Beall & Senator Robert Dvorsky in support of River Restoration appropriation

 

For River Restoration, River Trails, and Dam Safety/Flood Mitigation

Department of Natural Resources:

 

For the administration of a water trails, dam hazard & problem mitigation, river trash clean-up, river education, and river bank, fish habitat, and drinking water protection, implementing river trails and low-head dam plans, including salaries, support, maintenance, miscellaneous purposes, partnerships with governmental and non-profit organizations, not withstanding section 8.57?, subsection 6?, paragraph "c"?

 

$1,000,000

 

There are several bills limiting the ability of environmental rule making, most make rules very difficult, SF 232 would sunset all rules after five years. 

 

The Ag & Nat Res Appropriation bill SSB 1192 came out of the subcommittee last Thursday AM with $12.375M for REAP. 

 

LOBBYIST REPORT from Don Brazelton

 

SF 500 (SSB 1126), HF 643 (formerly HSB 148), WATER RESOURCES COUNCIL.  Moves the Water Resources Coordinating Council to the Dept of Ag and makes the Secretary of Ag the chair. Transfers portions of the Water Quality Protection 319 Program from DNR to Ag.  TMDLs for nonpoint source pollution will be under Ag & point source under DNR.  Eligible for S & H debate.

-    also transfers all of the $2.955 million appropriation for water monitoring from DNR to IDALS.  This funding is currently being used by DNR to fund all of the DNR water monitoring and assessment program staff and all of the monitoring costs for a variety of programs from regular river and lake monitoring, stream bioassessments, beach monitoring, etc. 

 

SF 386 (formerly SF 53), WATERSHEDS.  Appropriates $3 mil for watershed planning.  Requires the DNR to establish goals for reducing flood damage through retention structures or wetlands.  Requires the Water Resource Coordinating Council to submit reports to the Legislature on landowner incentives and state watershed programs.  Appropriates $30 million for voluntary watershed management grants.  Appropriates $4.2 million to DALS for watershed project technical assistance to landowners, soil and water conservation districts, county conservation boards and DNR;  $2 million to DNR for floodplain management; $50,000 to DNR to a mentor network program for floodplain managers; and $1.3 million to the Regents for the Iowa Flood Center at UI.  Requires Emergency Mgt Div (EMD) to work with the DNR to educate cities & counties on the community rating system in the FEMA flood insurance program.  Requires EMD to provide matching funds to cities in federal disaster areas due to flooding and to develop a pre-disaster mitigation grant program.  Goes to SAC.

 

HF 500, EPC & NRC RULEMAKING.  Transfers the rulemaking authority of the NRC and the EPC to the director of the DNR.  Eligible for H debate.

 

HF 538 (formerly HSB 163), SF 412 (formerly SSB 1181),  LAKE DISTRICTS.  Makes benefitted lake and water quality districts public entities.  Increases the number of trustees of such districts to 7.  Allows property owners in the district to be trustees.  Allows districts to issue general obligation or revenue bonds, subject to a debt limitation.  Eligible for H & S debate. 

 

HSB 220, RIIF APPROPS.  Makes the FY 2012 appropriations from RIIF.  To be debated by HAC next week.  We asked to have an amendment on the river trails/dam mitigation program, but was told it was unlikely in the HAC or on the floor.  They will talk to the S about the program.

 

HF 485, ADMINISTRATIVE RULES.  Establishes a 5-year sunset for all administrative rules. Rescinds all rules in effect on July 1 2011 as of July 1 2016. Allows any House or Senate committee to review any administrative rule and make recommendations.  Eligible for H debate.

 

SF 7, HF 78, BLOOD ALCOHOL LIMIT - BOATING.  Sets the blood alcohol limit at .08 for motorboats or sailboats operating while intoxicated offenses.  Both bills in HNR subcom-J Smith, Baudler, Steckman.

 

SSB 1192, HSB 190, AG & DNR APPROPRIATIONS.  Makes the appropriations to DALS, the DNR  REAP $12.375 mil. Eliminate the chief and assistant chief of the DNR law enforcement bureau. Requires reports on Ag drainage wells.  HSB has REAP at $11.5 mil.  Bill to start in S.  Passed the subcom, goes to SAC.

 

DNR

AG

HSB 220, RIIF Approps Bill.

REAP                                     12.375M

Volunteers                         100K

Park Ops & Maint             3.110M

GIS Info Watershed        195K

Water Monitoring            2.955M

Water Quality Prot          500K

Air Monitoring                   425K

Water Quantity                 495K

Res Cons and Dev            -0-

Animal Feeding Op          520K

Forestry Mgt                      100K

Cons Res Enhance                1M

Watershed Protection          900K

Farm Mgt Demo.              725K

Ag Drainage Wells              -0-

Soil Cost Share                 6.3M

Cons Reserve                    1M

Admin Expense                2M

So IA Cons Auth                  -0-

Loess Hills Alliance           300K

 

Env First Fund                           33M

Recreation Trails                        2M

Lake Restoration                    8.6M

Floodplain/Dam Safety           2M

State Park Infrastructure        -0-

River CAT                                 -0-

CAT                                       -0-

 

No river trails or dam mitigation monies.

No River CAT monies.

No Watershed Improvement Board.

 

Contacts to Infrastructure Budget Sub members:  Senator Matt McCoy, Senator Daryl Beall & Senator Robert Dvorsky

 

HF 589 (formerly HF 431), SF 431, INTERFERING WITH AGRICULTURE.  Prohibits tampering with an animal facility or crop operation. Prohibits making an audio or video record and distributing that recording, or exercising control over a location with the intent to deprive the owner or the property, or entering onto a property if the person knows if is not open to the public. Sets penalties.  Prohibits using fraud to enter such an operation,  Establishes penalties. Eligible for H & S debate.

 

HF 464, SF 321, FARM WASTEWATER EXEMPTION.  Exempts on-farm processing operations from state wastewater discharge rules, if the waste meets standards on biochemical oxygen demand.  Eligible for H debate.  Passed the S.

 

HF 529 (formerly HF 305), FLOODPLAIN MAPS.  CORRECTION.  Passed HEGC.  Prohibits the DNR, cities, counties and other state agencies from using a FEMA floodplain map for any purpose until the use of the map is approved by the Legislature.  Eligible for H debate.

 

HF 532, AG PROGRAM REPEALS.  Eliminates the organic nutrient management fund, the regulation of bulk dry manure, and provisions on agrichemical remediation.  Eligible for H debate.

 

SF 232, RULES REVIEW.  Requires agencies to review rules on a five-year cycle, and to consult with stakeholders and others.  Eligible for S debate.

 

SF 407 (formerly SF 11), COUNTY SEWAGE REGULATION. Allows the delegation of enforcement duties of sewage disposal systems that are not private systems from the DNR to counties.  This includes issuance of permits, inspections, and adoption of standards.  Passed the S, goes to the H.

 

SUMMARY

 

Governor Terry Brandstad:   515.281.5211 or http://www.governor.iowa.gov/contact/

Iowa General Assembly (find a bill):  http://www.legis.iowa.gov/index.aspx

Iowa Senators and Representatives:  Find your legislators (if you would like a spreadsheet of all the current legislators, please let me know)

Iowa Senate:  515.281.3371

Iowa House: 515.281.3221

 

Please share this legislative update with individuals, organizations or groups that would be interested in receiving this information.

 

Thank you!

 

Rosalyn Lehman

Executive Director

Iowa Rivers Revival

PO Box 72, Des Moines, IA 50301

515-202-7720

rlehman@...  |  www.iowarivers.org


Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)
#920 From: Rick Dietz <rsdietz@...>
Date: Wed Mar 23, 2011 4:58 pm
Subject: Fwd: IRR Legislative Update 3-23-11 		rsdietz
Send Email Send Email
 
To quote Jerry, your contacts are helping, but IT’S GOTTEN WORSE!!!
We need the help of the Iowa Senate to stop this very bad policy from moving forward, let your Senators know how bad this policy is and to OPPOSE moving water quality programs from the DNR to IDALS.  Also continue to call the Governor and ask him to leave clean water programs alone.   We are having an impact, see links to ongoing press coverage below.   


-------- Original Message --------
Subject: IRR Legislative Update 3-23-11
Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2011 09:51:53 -0500
From: Iowa Rivers Revival <rlehman@...>


IRR Legislative Update from Jerry Peckumn, Board Chair

March 23, 2011

 

IT’S GOTTEN WORSE!!!

 

HF 643 is on the floor of the House of Representatives TODAY!  Your contacts are helping.  We are know that legislators are hearing from both sides – keep your calls and letters coming.  

 

State Representative Moore filed an amendment to make changes from last week’s bill;  the amendment leaves the $2.9M water quality monitoring at the DNR for a year.  Language in the amendment gives the IA Department of Land Stewardship (IDALS) and Water Resources Council authority to determine where and how DNR spends water quality monitoring (assessment protocol, assessment report and impaired waters list) and how to interpret and use data for assessment and prioritization decisions all will be made by IDALS. 

 

Do you want IDALS to determine if water quality is good enough?  There are two major problems with them managing clean water in Iowa.  One, there is a inherent conflict of interest in promoting agriculture and making long term decisions on water quality.  The other is the lack of transparency within the IDALS and too many unanswered questions.  Where do project funds go and who directly benefits from funding conservation projects on private property?  The DNR is forced to be open because the citizen commission provides public oversight of the programs.

 

The amendments to  HF 643  DO NOT fix the problems in the bill.  The bill would leave water monitoring funding with the DNR for now…but all decisions would be made by IDALS on where and how to monitor water quality.  It could mean an end to Project AWARE. 

 

The current program managed by the DNR is now ranked 9th in the country for efficiency.  There is very little chance that this change will be efficient or more cost-efficient, and in fact, will likely cost the taxpayer more for some time to come.  It appears there is a great desire by Farm Bureau to gain more control of the clean water planning by moving development of TMDL plans (Total Maximum Daily Load of pollutants) for non-point water pollution (anything entering our streams not through a pipe) to the IDALS.  It is unprecedented by any other state (except TN) to have the DNR prepare one part (point source) of the TMDL and the IDALS prepare another part of the plan-it really makes no sense if you want plans for clean water.  The Iowa DNR has registered in favor of this bill now, but you have to remember that the Governor appoints the Director of the DNR and may remove him at any time for any reason.  The Governor said on WOI Radio (link below) that he is in favor of moving the clean water programs to save money but has offered no analysis showing how those savings would be made.

 

We need the help of the Iowa Senate to stop this very bad policy from moving forward, let your Senators know how bad this policy is and to OPPOSE moving water quality programs from the DNR to IDALS.  Also continue to call the Governor and ask him to leave clean water programs alone.   We are having an impact, see links to ongoing press coverage below.   

 

PRESS on this Issue

 

Iowa Public Radio – The Exchange:  Governor Terry Branstad & Water Quality Monitoring (03/21/11)

The Iowa legislature is considering controversial new rights for gun owners, expanding nuclear power, and legalizing some online gambling. Host Jeneane Beck talks with Iowa Governor Terry Branstad for the first half of the program. They’ll talk about those issues and more. Then, Jeneane is joined by guests from the Iowa Farm Bureau and Iowa Water and Land Legacy to discuss a proposal to transfer water quality monitoring from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. (46:00) http://iowapublicradio.org/programSpecific.php?typeId=35

 

Ames Tribune:  Overseeing Iowa’s Water

o   http://www.amestrib.com/articles/2011/03/18/ames_tribune/news/doc4d8434e3963a3766801090.txt

o   http://www.amestrib.com/articles/2011/03/18/ames_tribune/news/doc4d843445b3470049707457.txt

 

Globe Gazette: House OKs shifting water-quality monitoring duties (03/03/11)

http://www.globegazette.com/news/local/article_c45de8e6-45f0-11e0-96fe-001cc4c03286.html

 

KCCI

Jerry’s interview with Todd Magel, KCCI television-breaking the story in the media.  Here is a link to that interview: http://www.kcci.com/news/27046536/detail.html.

 

RIVER RESTORATION

We are still asking for an appropriation for River Restoration and Dam mitigation.  Our best hopes are our friends in the Senate now, as the House will not consider an appropriation.  Continue to call or visit your Senators and make key contacts to members of the Infrastructure Budget Subcommittee:  Senator Matt McCoy, Senator Daryl Beall & Senator Robert Dvorsky in support of River Restoration appropriation

 

For River Restoration, River Trails, and Dam Safety/Flood Mitigation

Department of Natural Resources:

 

For the administration of a water trails, dam hazard & problem mitigation, river trash clean-up, river education, and river bank, fish habitat, and drinking water protection, implementing river trails and low-head dam plans, including salaries, support, maintenance, miscellaneous purposes, partnerships with governmental and non-profit organizations, not withstanding section 8.57?, subsection 6?, paragraph "c"?

 

$1,000,000

 

LOBBYIST REPORT from Don Brazelton

 

SF 500, HF 643, WATER RESOURCES COUNCIL.  Moves the Water Resources Coordinating Council to the Dept of Ag and makes the Secretary of Ag the chair. Transfers portions of the Water Quality Protection 319 Program from DNR to Ag.  TMDLs for nonpoint source pollution will be under Ag & point source under DNR. Also transfers all of the $2.955 million appropriation for water monitoring from DNR to IDALS.  This funding is currently being used by DNR to fund all of the DNR water monitoring and assessment program staff and all of the monitoring costs for a variety of programs from regular river and lake monitoring, stream bioassessments, beach monitoring, etc.  Eligible for S & H debate.

-          Was also told that this bill was likely to be amended to only deal with the federal 319 program that the Governor may move without legislative approval.

 

SF 386, WATERSHEDS.  Appropriates $3 mil for watershed planning.  Requires the DNR to establish goals for reducing flood damage through retention structures or wetlands.  Requires the Water Resource Coordinating Council to submit reports to the Legislature on landowner incentives and state watershed programs.  Appropriates $30 million for voluntary watershed management grants.  Appropriates $4.2 million to DALS for watershed project technical assistance to landowners, soil and water conservation districts, county conservation boards and DNR;  $2 million to DNR for floodplain management; $50,000 to DNR to a mentor network program for floodplain managers; and $1.3 million to the Regents for the Iowa Flood Center at UI.  Requires Emergency Mgt Div (EMD) to work with the DNR to educate cities & counties on the community rating system in the FEMA flood insurance program.  Requires EMD to provide matching funds to cities in federal disaster areas due to flooding and to develop a pre-disaster mitigation grant program.  Goes to SAC.

 

SF 507, NATURAL RESOURCES SALES TAX.  Increases the sales tax by 3/8 of a cent for deposit in the Natural Resources, Outdoor Recreation and Soil Conservation Trust Fund.  SWMC.

 

HF 500, EPC & NRC RULEMAKING.  Transfers the rulemaking authority of the NRC and the EPC to the director of the DNR.  Eligible for H debate.

-          Have been told by a Republican Senator that this bill is unlikely to be considered by the S if it makes it out of the House. 

 

SF 7, BLOOD ALCOHOL LIMIT - BOATING.  Sets the blood alcohol limit at .08 for motorboats or sailboats operating while intoxicated offenses. Passed HNRC.  Eligible for H debate.

 

SF 509 (formerly SSB 1192), HSB 190, AG & DNR APPROPS.  Amended & passed SAC.  Amendment eliminates the DNR Enforcement Assistant Chief only; specifies the forestry funding is for forestry health; continues community beautification to clean up abandoned buildings; adds $75,000 for a local food specialist at Iowa State. REAP $12.375 mil.  HSB has REAP at $11.5 mil.  DNR General Fund budget $12,716,688 and Ag is $16,897,308.  $38,793,154 Div of Fish & Wildlife from the Trust Fund.

DNR

 

DNR

AG

REAP                                     12.375M

Volunteers                         100K

Park Ops & Maint             3.110M

GIS Info Watershed        195K

Water Monitoring            2.955M

Water Quality Prot          500K

Air Monitoring                   425K

Water Quantity                 495K

Res Cons and Dev            -0-

Animal Feeding Op          520K

Forestry Mgt                      100K

Cons Res Enhance                1M

Watershed Protection          900K

Farm Mgt Demo.              725K

Ag Drainage Wells              -0-

Soil Cost Share                 6.3M

Cons Reserve                    1M

Admin Expense                2M

So IA Cons Auth                  -0-

Loess Hills Alliance           300K

 

 

No river trails or dam mitigation monies.

No River CAT monies.

No Watershed Improvement Board.

 

Contacts to Infrastructure Budget Sub members in support of a RIVER RESTORATION appropriation:  Senator Matt McCoy, Senator Daryl Beall & Senator Robert Dvorsky

 

HF 589, SF 431, INTERFERING WITH AGRICULTURE.  Prohibits tampering with an animal facility or crop operation. Prohibits making an audio or video record and distributing that recording, or exercising control over a location with the intent to deprive the owner or the property, or entering onto a property if the person knows if is not open to the public. Sets penalties.  Prohibits using fraud to enter such an operation.  Establishes penalties. Amended & passed the H.  Eligible for S debate.

 

HF 464, SF 321, FARM WASTEWATER EXEMPTION.  Exempts on-farm processing operations from state wastewater discharge rules, if the waste meets standards on biochemical oxygen demand.  Eligible for H debate.  Passed the S.

 

HF 485, ADMINISTRATIVE RULES.  Establishes a 5-year sunset for all administrative rules. Rescinds all rules in effect on July 1 2011 as of July 1 2016. Allows any House or Senate committee to review any administrative rule and make recommendations.  Eligible for H debate.

 

SF 232, RULES REVIEW.  Requires agencies to review rules on a five-year cycle, and to consult with stakeholders and others.  Eligible for S debate.

 

HF 491, REGULATORY ANALYSIS.   Requires a regulatory analysis of any administrative rule that would have a substantial impact on a small business.  Eligible for H debate.

 

HF 529, FLOODPLAIN MAPS.  Prohibits the DNR, cities, counties and other state agencies from using a FEMA floodplain map for any purpose until the use of the map is approved by the Legislature.  Eligible for H debate

 

HF 532, AG PROGRAM REPEALS.  Eliminates the organic nutrient management fund, the regulation of bulk dry manure, and provisions on agrichemical remediation.  Passed SAgC.  Eligible for S debate.

 

SUMMARY

 

Governor Terry Brandstad:   515.281.5211 or http://www.governor.iowa.gov/contact/

Iowa General Assembly (find a bill):  http://www.legis.iowa.gov/index.aspx

Iowa Senators and Representatives:  Find your legislators (if you would like a spreadsheet of all the current legislators, please let me know)

Iowa Senate:  515.281.3371

Iowa House: 515.281.3221

 

REAP PRESS TOUR – Iowa’s Water and Land Legacy

Cuts to REAP, the handing of water quality programs to the Iowa Department of Agriculture, cutting watershed programs...it's all on the table during this legislative session and we need YOUR help.   IWLL is hosting a series of public forums around the state to highlight the need for additional funding for REAP and a number of other vital conservation programs.  Can you forward this to a friend?  Can you make it?  Encourage your local press outlets to cover the story.

 

Date

Location

Time

Venue

Thurs; 3/24/2011

Des Moines

9AM

DM-Izaak Walton League

Council Bluffs

1PM

Library-400 Willow Ave (2nd floor conf rm C); 712-323-7553





Fri; 3/25/2011

Newton

9AM

Library-100 N 3rd Avenue West; (641) 792-4108

Iowa City

Noon

Iowa City Recreation Division-Robert A Lee Center, 220 S Gilbert Street; 319-356-5100

Cedar Rapids

3PM

Library-Westdale Mall-lower level, 2600 Edgewood Rd (Seuss Room); 319-363-3286




Tues; 3/29/2011

Storm Lake

9AM

Library-609 Cayuga Street; 712-732-8026

Sioux City

1PM

Morningside Library-4005 Morningside Ave; 712-255-2924




Thurs; 3/31/2011

Muscatine

10AM

City Hall (lower level conf rm)-215 Sycamore St.; 563-264-1552

Burlington

Noon

Starr's Cave Nature Center (loft)-11627 Starrs Cave Park Rd;   (319) 753-5808

 

Please share this legislative update with individuals, organizations or groups that would be interested in receiving this information.

 

Friend us on Facebook. 

 

Thank you!

 

Rosalyn Lehman

Executive Director

Iowa Rivers Revival

PO Box 72, Des Moines, IA 50301

515-202-7720

rlehman@...  |  www.iowarivers.org


Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)
#921 From: Rick Dietz <rsdietz@...>
Date: Fri Apr 8, 2011 5:17 pm
Subject: Fwd: Update on Dirty Water Bill 		rsdietz
Send Email Send Email
 
Letters are still needed! And it sounds as though they may need to hear of some success stories, of improvements to water quality under the current programs.

If you'd like to send comments from the IEC's Action Alert Center you can find the link at www.iaenvironment.org/news/newsbulletins.php. Additional contact information is under the "Elected Officials" tab on the Action Alert page.

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Update on Dirty Water Bill
Date: Fri, 8 Apr 2011 12:40:59 -0400
From: Lynn Laws, Iowa Environmental Council <lynnlaws@...>



Update on Dirty Water Bill
Action Alert: Update on DNR Water Program Bill

More Info

 
A Senate Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee met Thursday afternoon, for 90 minutes, to hear public comments on Senate File 500, a bill which would take some of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources's water quality funding and programs away from them and give them to the Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. Senators Black, Hogg, Houser, Kapucian and Bolkcom were present to hear comments.

In addition to comments from individual citizens, reasons for keeping the programs at the DNR were given by the Iowa Environmental Council, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, Iowa Chapter of the Sierra Club, Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, the Raccoon River Watershed Association and the Izaak Walton League.

Marian Gelb, executive director for the Iowa Environmental Council, began her remarks with a question. She asked legislators to explain the problem the bill was attempting to fix. Senator Black, who chaired the subcommittee, said his concern was that water quality in Iowa isn't improving. Senator Hogg, who has been appointed floor manager for the bill, said, at this point, they were trying to determine where certain programs should be placed in order to achieve the greatest competency. He said that in the process of looking at this issue they may find out that the problem of the further decline in water quality in Iowa may be because we just haven't put enough money into fixing it.

Mike Delaney, speaking on behalf of the Raccoon River Watershed Association and the Izaak Walton League, pointed out that the DNRs budget has been cut year after year and they are now operating at 1987 levels. Delaney said his experience with DNR water quality programming for the Raccoon River watershed has shown him how effective they are at finding the source of pollution and working collaborative with all stakeholders, including landowners and IDALS, to design solutions.

The spokesperson for Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement pointed out that the committee was in possession of a letter from the federal EPA which praised the DNR for their management of the primary water quality program targeted for the move—Section 319 of the Clean Water Act. The EPA letter also cautioned that moving the program would cause inefficiencies and lessen the effectiveness of Iowa's nonpoint source program. He also stated that the only state in the nation to have put their department of agriculture in charge of that water quality program is Tennessee, whose program is ranked 25th in the nation for efficiency, whereas Iowa's program at the DNR is ranked 9th in the nation.

Duane Sands, representing the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, emphasized that regardless of good intentions, if water quality programs are transferred to IDALS, the appearance will be that the move is for political reasons because IDALS is headed by an elected official whose election is dependent on the Farm Lobby.

Chuck Gipp, the director of IDALS, said his department should have the water quality programs because it has expertise in working with farmers and has had success in Iowa when it comes to "soil and water conservation."

Marty Schwager, a state policy advisor for the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, claimed the bill would improve efficiency and water quality, but did not offer any evidence or explanation to support these claims.

Senator Black thanked everyone for their comments and noted that the bill was still under construction.

We will continue to keep you updated on this bill. If you have not yet sent an email to your Senator, asking him to vote no on SF 500, please do so. And please encourage your friends to do so as well.

Thank you!

Lynn Laws

Communications Director

Iowa Environmental Council

footer

Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)
#922 From: Rick Dietz <rsdietz@...>
Date: Wed Apr 13, 2011 3:31 am
Subject: IRR "River Currents" education forum April 29 @ Chicaqua Bottoms 		rsdietz
Send Email Send Email
 
RIVER CURRENTS: A forum on revitalizing rivers
Friday, April 29, 2011
9AM – 3PM
Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt-Polk County Conservation Board
8700 NE 126 Ave., Maxwell, IA 50161

REGISTRATION: $10 (meal included)
RSVP: rlehman@...

From www.iowarivers.org
River Currents is an education forum geared toward river enthusiasts, water trails developers, watershed coordinators, IOWATER volunteers, and others who desire a better understanding of the river as an expression of its watersheds and riparian zones. Part of the day will be spent understanding common stream problems, including examples of alternative projects that mimic systems found in nature offering practical solutions for various stabilization, flood reduction, drainage, road crossings, and other types of projects that happen in and along rivers.  The last part of the day will be spent understanding the relationships and interactions of a river’s habitat.

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: FW: River Currents Agenda
Date: Tue, 12 Apr 2011 15:49:27 -0500
From: Fortney, Robin B <RBFortney@...>

Please forward this notice of an opportunity to learn more about rivers to our paddling and river friends.

 

Thanks,

Robin

 

From: Iowa Rivers Revival [mailto:rlehman@...]
Subject: River Currents Agenda

 

Good afternoon,

 

I am pleased to provide you with the final agenda for the River Currents education forum on Friday, April 29th.  
http://www.iowarivers.org/Portals/0/2011/River%20Currents%20Agenda.pdf

 

Please help spread the word.

 

Thanks,

Roz

 

 

Rosalyn Lehman

Executive Director

Iowa Rivers Revival

PO Box 72, Des Moines, IA 50301

515-202-7720

rlehman@...  |  www.iowarivers.org

 


Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)
#923 From: Rick Dietz <rsdietz@...>
Date: Fri Apr 22, 2011 3:24 am
Subject: Fwd: Let's start talkin' about rivers... 		rsdietz
Send Email Send Email
 
This might also be a good time to talk about the Spring IOWATER Snapshot. We'll be participating again, and if you could let me know whether you can participate that would help very much with our planning. The Spring Snapshot is Saturday May 14, and the Fall Snapshot is October 15.

- Thanks!

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Let's start talkin' about rivers...
Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2011 13:37:12 -0500
From: Iowa Rivers Revival <rlehman@...>


River Currents: A forum on revitalizing rivers - RSVP by Monday.  Please be sure to let us know if you will be joining us next Friday – we have a great program led by Mary Skopec and Nate Hoogeveen.

 

**********************

 

RIVER CURRENTS: A forum on revitalizing rivers

River Currents is an education forum geared toward river enthusiasts, water trail developers, watershed coordinators, IOWATER volunteers, and others who desire a better understanding of a river as an expression of its watershed and riparian zones. Part of the day will be spent learning about common stream problems, including examples of alternative projects that mimic systems found in nature offering practical solutions for various bank stabilization, flood reduction, drainage, road crossings, and other types of projects that happen in and along rivers.  The last part of the day will be spent learning about the relationships and interactions of a river’s habitat.  AGENDA

 

RIVER CURRENTS: A forum on revitalizing rivers

Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt-Polk County Conservation Board

8700 NE 126 Ave., Maxwell, IA 50161

Friday, April 29, 2011

9AM – 3PM

RSVP: rlehman@...

Registration: $10-meal included; http://www.iowarivers.org/Portals/0/2011/River%20Currents%20Registration%202011.pdf

 

**********************

 

IRRLarge                                                               News Release

 

 

For immediate release -- Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Contact Roz Lehman, Executive Director, Iowa Rivers Revival – 515-202-7720

 

Iowa Rivers Revival Presents

RIVER CURRENTS: 

A Forum on Revitalizing Iowa Rivers

 

The public is invited to the RIVER CURRENTS Forum on April 29

 

 

DES MOINES.   Iowa Rivers Revival -- the statewide river education and advocacy organization committed to protecting Iowa’s rivers and streams – is presenting “RIVER CURRENTS – a Forum on Revitalizing Iowa Rivers.” 

 

The forum will be Friday, April 29, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt Longhouse, 8700 NE 126 Avenue, Maxwell, Iowa.  A registration fee of $10 includes lunch.  The public is invited.

 

The Forum will offer a fresh perspective on river conservation.  It is geared toward river enthusiasts of all kinds, water trail developers, watershed coordinators, IOWATER volunteers, and others who want a better understanding of our rivers and streams, the “riparian zones” along their banks, and their watersheds.

 

Part of the day will be spent learning about common stream problems and discussing solutions -- including examples of alternative projects that mimic systems found in nature and offer practical solutions for various bank stabilization, flood reduction, drainage, road crossings, and other types of projects that happen in and along rivers.  The last part of the day will be spent learning about the relationships and interactions of a river’s habitat.  

 

For the RIVER CURRENTS agenda and registration information, visit www.iowarivers.org, or call 515- 202-7020.

 

Iowa Rivers Revival is a statewide advocacy group that works to improve and enhance the condition of Iowa’s rivers and streams by engaging individuals, organizations, communities and government leaders in river awareness, enjoyment, responsibility and stewardship.  “IRR” actively works to inform and encourage river and stream advocates around the state, helping them influence public policy at the State Capitol and in their communities and river systems.

 

[END]

 

 

Rosalyn Lehman

Executive Director

Iowa Rivers Revival

PO Box 72, Des Moines, IA 50301

515-202-7720

rlehman@...  |  www.iowarivers.org

 

**********************

Please share this e-News with individuals, organizations or groups that would be interested in receiving this information.

 

‘LIKE’ us on Facebook. 

 

Thank you!

 

Rosalyn Lehman

Executive Director

Iowa Rivers Revival

PO Box 72, Des Moines, IA 50301

515-202-7720

rlehman@...  |  www.iowarivers.org


Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)
#924 From: Rick Dietz <rsdietz@...>
Date: Tue Apr 26, 2011 10:11 pm
Subject: volunteers needed for Spring Snapshot - May 14 		rsdietz
Send Email Send Email
  
Volunteers are needed for the Spring Squaw Creek/IOWATER Snapshot,
scheduled for Saturday May 14.  As in the past we'll meet at Brookside
Park at 9AM and will try to finish up by 1PM.

Please let us know whether you can participate, whether you would like
to borrow an IOWATER kit for the day, or whether you will need to
replace any expired test equipment. We'll probably be placing the
resupply order no later than Monday May 9.

Those of you who have not had the IOWATER training (or have not been
testing) are welcome to join us. We will also be needing a volunteer to
receive the field data and samples as they are returned to the park.

Rick


--
www.squawcreekwatershed.org

Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)
#925 From: Rick Dietz <rsdietz@...>
Date: Fri Sep 16, 2011 8:05 pm
Subject: Fw: Great Event this Saturday (see attached) 		rsdietz
Send Email Send Email
  
Saturday at Bandshell Park:

----- Forwarded by John H Pohlman/COA on 09/16/2011 02:22 PM -----

From: Stacy Brothers<sbrothers@...>
To: undisclosed-recipients:;
Date: 09/15/2011 11:54 AM
Subject: Great Event this Saturday


Please pass this message along about a great event for a great cause this
Saturday in downtown Ames at Bandshell Park.

You are invited to join me and my friends from JAX Outdoor Gear as we host
a Natural Living Fair and Environmental Film Festival.
The Fair starts at 4:00 - the Films start at dusk, about 7:20 or so.

We've had Film Festivals the last couple of years and both times we thought
how great it would be if the films were outside.  So, with the help of a 24
foot inflatable movie screen, we are doing just that.  Before the films,
join us for some information, activities, food and music from
singer/songwriter Rainbow Penley, of Des Moines.  She hasn't been around
Ames too much, but trust me, she puts on a great show.  You can find her on
Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/rainbow.penley

Music. Food. Films and fun times...all this for $9 and all the proceeds go
to the Practical Farmers of Iowa.
$4 for kids under 12.  $7 for those bringing baked goods (see below!)

And...while we would be happy as clams just to see you at the Fair, please
think about the attached invitation to bring along a baked good when you
come.  Come with a baked good, participate in our Bake Walk, and go home
with a baked good!

Find out more about the movies at http://www.earthdancefilms.com
Find out more about the Practical Farmers of Iowa at
http://www.practicalfarmers.org/
Find out more about JAX at http://www.jaxgoods.com

We couldn't be doing this without the support of the Ames Community Grant
Program and great sponsors like Copyworks, 1430 KASI Radio, New Rock 105.1,
and our friends at Wheatsfield Grocery.  Thanks!

Stacy Brothers
Marketing Coordinator
JAX Outdoor Gear
4723 W Lincoln Way
Ames, Iowa 50014 • 515.292.2276

(See attached file: Bake Walk Invitation.pdf)



--
www.greatamesadventurerace.org
www.skunkriverpaddlers.org
www.squawcreekwatershed.org

1 of 1 File(s)


Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)
#926 From: Gaylan Crim <gbcrim@...>
Date: Sun Oct 16, 2011 1:57 am
Subject: Errington Lecture 		gbcrim
Send Email Send Email
 

Errington Memorial Lecture
Thursday, October 20, 2011
7 p.m., Great Hall, Memorial Union
(Part of the ISU Live Green! Sustainability Series)
 
“Feeding the World, Sustaining the Planet.†
 
Dr. Jonathan Foley
Institute of the Environment, University of Minnesota
 
 
Seminar Friday, 21 October, at 3:10 p.m.:
“Solutions for a Cultivated Planet:  Evaluating Options for a Sustainable Global Food System." 
 
Jonathan Foley is the director of the Institute on the Environment (IonE) at the University of the Minnesota, where he is a professor and McKnight Presidential Chair in the Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior. He also leads the IonE’s Global Landscapes Initiative.
In this year’s Errington Lecture, Professor Foley will address fundamental issues of global land use, food security and the environment.  His work focuses on complex global environmental systems and their interactions with human societies. Dr. Foley and his students have contributed to our understanding of global-scale ecological processes, global patterns of land use, the behavior of the planet’s climate and water cycles, and the sustainability of our biosphere. This work has led him to be a regular advisor to large corporations, NGOs and governments around the world.
 
You can learn a bit more about Professor Foley at
http://environment.umn.edu/about/ione_bios/jon_foley.html. 
 
 



Reply | Messages in this Topic (2)
#927 From: Rick Dietz <rsdietz@...>
Date: Thu Feb 23, 2012 1:22 am
Subject: Fwd: IRR Legislative Update 2-21-12 		rsdietz
Send Email Send Email
 
For those who don't already receive these updates...

Within this Iowa Rivers Revival Legislative Update you will find a link to the IRR petition requesting state funding for Iowa's river programs.  Please consider signing. The goal of two hundred signatures is not many compared to the thousands of river users (tubers, paddlers, fishermen, etc) across the state.  Imagine those user numbers compared to those of the Lake Delhi community, a lake that has often been described as a private lake and an impoundment  that would never be considered today given it's watershed to pool ratio.

State funding ($5 million over two years) is rapidly moving forward for a new Delhi dam with no requirement for public access or fish passage, and no requirement to address what has been described as the state's largest unsewered community. State funding for the Delhi dam will come from the DNR's lake restoration program which is also being cut, meaning that funding  for a number of other restoration projects that DO meet the DNR's own requirements (including our own Hickory Grove Lake) will be delayed.

Meanwhile, the proposed budget for our rivers is at zero. Again.

Please sign the IRR's petition for river program funding. Read the IRR Fact Sheet on Lake Delhi and read the American Rivers blog response to the recent Cedar Rapids Gazette article. And then write your legislators and the governor and let them know how you feel. They have the ear of the Delhi residents, obviously, and it's time that they hear from the rest of us.


-------- Original Message --------
Subject: IRR Legislative Update 2-21-12
Date: Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:00:54 -0600
From: Iowa Rivers Revival <rlehman@...>


IRR Legislative Update from Jerry Peckumn, Board Chair

February 21, 2012

 

Yesterday, activity that passed out of a subcommittee of the Senate Appropriations Committee by party line vote included:

·         $2.5 mil for Lake Delhi for the next two fiscal years with no strings.

·         No money for river trails/restoration.

·         Lake restoration was cut another $1 mil to $4,459,000.

·         State Park infrastructure remains at $5 mil.

·         Recreation trails (DOT) is $3 mil.

 

Don, Brazelton, IRR’s lobbyist continues to talk with key legislators about the importance and advantages of providing funding to protect and enhance Iowa’s rivers.  More than ever before, Iowa legislators are hearing that Iowan’s care about rivers and water quality – we need to continue to have those conversations.

 

River Restoration – Help us get to 200 signatures

Right now we have collected over 145 signatures.  Help us send a message to the Iowa legislature that you support river funding! http://www.change.org/petitions/iowa-governor-and-iowa-legislature-iowas-rivers-need-more-public-funding-2

 

Iowa Rivers Revival is advocating for an annual $1,000,000 investment in river restoration and dam mitigation to provide communities across Iowa opportunities to embrace and enhance their riverfronts.  Just as the lake restoration program has benefited all Iowans, restoring our rivers would provide many economic and quality of life benefits across the state. 

 

The Governor and a subcommittee of Senate Appropriations has provided no funding in the budget for river-related programs and priorities for 2013.  Sign the petition and urge your Iowa legislators to support funding for river restoration and dam mitigation programs.

 

Delhi Update

American Rivers wrote a fantastic blog in response to rebuilding the Delhi Dam and the Gazette’s editorial. 

-          Don't Let Lake Delhi Destroy the Maquoketa River :  http://www.americanrivers.org/newsroom/blog/sstrassman-20120216-dont-let-lake-delhi-destroy-maquoketa-river.html

 

Despite IRR’s efforts to raise concerns about the sustainability and viability of the Maquoketa River, a subcommittee of the Senate Appropriations Committee met yesterday and recommended $2.5 million for  the next two years.  The next move is to contact House Appropriation Committee members to express IRR’s opposition to rebuilding the dam, it is a waste of tax payer funds on essentially a private lake. The Delhi dam promoters are pushing very hard to build a dam without fish passage, with no plan to deal with sewage discharges from lake homes, with no financial plans for dredging, and limited public access.  Fact Sheet

 

Reminder: The Delaware County Supervisors are meeting on Wednesday, February 29th  at 7 p.m. at the Fairgrounds in the Pavilion to accept public (or written) comments regarding whether to give the Lake Delhi interests $3 million for rebuilding the Dam or if there is interest for county residents to vote on supporting/funding the project.  A decision will most likely be made at the following County Supervisors meeting. 

 

LOBBYIST REPORT from Don Brazelton

 

NEXT WEEK IS THE REAL FIRST FUNNEL.  I obtained a copy of the Session Calendar prior to the passage of the resolution with moved funnel dates up one week.  What I wasn’t aware of is the Legislative Information Office changed the dates to reflect the new dates prior to the passage of the resolution.  Some sectors of government are able to work with speed and a clear crystal ball.

 

IWILL DAY AT THE CAPITOL.  Wednesday, February 22, 2012 from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM.  Iowa's Water & Land Legacy and the Iowa REAP Alliance are excited to announce our now annual Lobby Day on the Hill at the Iowa State Capitol on February 22, 2012.           Supporters will be meeting at the State Capitol at 9:00 A.M. on February 22nd to ask your legislators to support fully funding REAP at $20 million for FY 2013 and avoiding any special interest earmarks or cuts in the program.

-          For more information about REAP, you can visit: www.REAPALLIANCE.org or www.IOWASWATERANDLANDLEGACY.ORG

-          If you want to learn about REAP projects in YOUR county, you can visit our "County-by-County" information map here.    

-          Contact your legislator to let them know that you will be at the Capitol that day and wish to speak with them.  If you can’t come to the Capitol, please email or call them for their support.

 

Here’s a bill to discuss with your legislators at the IWiLL/REAP Day.  HSB 645, STATE EFFICIENCIES.  Among numerous proposals, the bill requires the DNR to sell property to generate $20 million for REAP

-          DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES —— SALE OF REAL PROPERTY. During the fiscal period beginning on the effective date of this division of this Act, and ending June 30, 2013, the department of natural resources shall identify and sell real property under the control of the department, the sale of which is not otherwise prohibited by federal law, that is not utilized for state parks and forests in sufficient acreage that shall generate at least twenty million dollars.  The funds generated are to be deposited into the REAP Account.  Fish & game lands would be protected constitutionally and any sale of land would have to go to the Trust Fund.  HSG subcom-Cownie, Kaufmann, Lensing, Mascher, Vander Linden.

 

AG & NATURAL RESOURCES BUDGET BILL.  NO BILL NUMBER YET.

The House version of the bill passed out of the House subcom by a 5-4 party-line vote & passed the full HAC on a party-line vote.  The bill was described by Rep Drake as “a work in progress”.  The amounts recommended in the H bill include the second year amount of the two-year budget bill passed last year.  I have rounded the amounts

Gov Recommendation

House Recommendation

DNR





Operations

$12.467M

$11.832M

Floodplain Mgt

$2M

$1.8M

Forestry Health

0

$0.1M

Geological Survey

0

$0.2M


$14.467M

$13.932M





AG

$16.783M

$18.552M





ISU Vet Lab

$3.238M

$3.24






Env First Fund  (Authorized at $35M, $23M expended by H)





DNR



Volunteers

$0.1M

$0.1M

Parks Operations

$3.210M

$3.210M

GIS - Watersheds

$0.195M

$0.195M

Water Monitoring

$2.955M

$2.955M

Water Protection

$0.5M

$0.5M

Animal Regulation

$0.420M

$0.420M

Air Monitoring

$0.425M

$0.425M

Water Quality

$0.495M

$0.495M

Forestry Health

$0.1M

0 (Now GF)

Geological Survey

$0.2M

0 (Now GF)





AG



Cons Res Enhancement

$1M

$1M

Watershed Protection

$0.9M

$0.9M

Farm Mgt Demo

$0.625M

$0.625M

Ag Drainage Wells

0

$1.25M

Soil Cons

$2M

$2M

Cons Reserve

$1M

$1M

So. Ia. Cons

0

$0.25M

Soil Cost Share

$6.3M

$7M

Iowa FFA

$25 k

0 (Now GF)

Local Food Program

$75 k

0 (Now GF)

Loess Hills

$0.475M

$0.675M

 

Both agencies have other sources of income with expenditures.  The Fish & Game Fund: Gov Rec $39.951 mil, H $39.951 mil.

 

REAP.  Rep Drake indicated that since REAP is a “standing appropriation” (as identified in the Iowa Code) it should be fully funded at $20 mil (unsure if that is based on HSB 645 passing).  Division V of the bill is based on a $20 mil REAP appropriation.  It specifies that any amount after the first $4.2 mil in the Open Spaces Account is to be used for State Park maintenance (over $1 mil).  Any amount after the first $3 mil to the Soil & Water Account is to be used for urban conservation ($0.89 mil).

-          H Republicans are moving REAP from the Environmental First Fund to the General Fund.  The appropriation is to be included in what is called the “Standings” bill.  In talks with the Senate Approps Comm Chair, he was unsure at this time knowing which bill to include REAP. 

-          The S target for Ag & Nat Res is the same as the Governor.

 

HSB 645, STATE EFFICIENCIES.  Among numerous proposals, the bill requires the DNR to sell property to generate $20 million for REAP.  Requires a review of regulations. 

 

SSB 3052, HSB 616, DNR PROHIBITIONS & CHANGES.  Sets penalties for certain destructive acts on land or water controlled by the NRC a simple misdemeanor with a scheduled $50 fine.  Makes the use of some guns or fireworks in a state park a simple misdemeanor subject to a $50 fine.  Removes mussels from the definition of bait & prohibits bait dealers from selling them & clams.  Defines “pen-reared pheasants” to include only Chinese ring-necked pheasants.  Authorizes the DNR to establish a target-shooting program to promote target shooting.  Bans various license holders from trading or bartering turtles, turtle eggs and roe or roe species.  Deletes gear tags but requires commercial fishers and turtle harvesters to tag their gear.  Strikes provisions allowing the sale of falconry license to non-residents.  Strikes provisions on the sale of certain islands and abandoned river channels.  SNR subcom-Black, Seng, Kapucian.  HNR subcom- Hager, Gaskill, Vander Linden.

 

HSB 505, BANNING RULEMAKING.  Prohibits an agency from adopting an administrative rule unless the unemployment rate is below 4% unless the agency determines that the rule is necessary to prevent immediate dangers to health and safety.  HEG subcom-Baltimore, Jacoby, Smith.

 

SF 2014, FLOOD PREVENTION.  Expands the power of county supervisors or the DOT to change the course of a waterway to avoid flooding as part of a highway project & authorizes use eminent domain.  ST subcom-Hancock, Ernst, Reilly.

 

SF 2152, WASTEWATER APPLICATION.  Strikes a requirement that the applier of wastewater on ag land be licensed by the DNR.  SAgC.

 

SF 2217 (formerly SSB 3130), FLOOD MITIGATION.  Establishes a flood mitigation program, board and fund.  Authorizes the use of local sales tax revenues to fund projects.  Defines eligible projects such as levees, embankments, impoundments and conduits.  Requires project plans and federal funds match.  Establishes criteria for approving applications.  Establishes the flood mitigation fund for technical assistance.  Limits the amount of sales tax that a project can receive to $15 mil/yr & a total amount of $30 mil.  Passed SAC.  One change being studied is criteria for assessing a project’s impact on the environment and natural resources

 

SSB 3091, RENAMES THE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.  Renames the Geological Survey the Sandrock Center for Land & Water Science & outlines its duties.  Makes the state geologist a gubernatorial appointment.  Locates the Center in Iowa City.   SSG subcom-Danielson, Chelgren, Jochum.  Subcom met but took no action.

 

SUMMARY

 

Governor Terry Branstad:   515.281.5211 or http://www.governor.iowa.gov/contact/

Iowa General Assembly (find a bill):  http://www.legis.iowa.gov/index.aspx

Iowa Senators and Representatives:  Find your legislators (if you would like a spreadsheet of all the current legislators, please let me know)

Iowa Senate:  515.281.3371

Iowa House: 515.281.3221

 

Please share this legislative update with individuals, organizations or groups that would be interested in receiving this information.

 

Thank you!

 

Rosalyn Lehman

Executive Director

Iowa Rivers Revival

PO Box 72, Des Moines, IA 50301

515-202-7720

rlehman@...  |  www.iowarivers.org


Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)
#928 From: Rick Dietz <rsdietz@...>
Date: Fri Mar 23, 2012 2:38 am
Subject: Fwd: River Currents: What's the DAM Solution? (Sat April 21) 		rsdietz
Send Email Send Email
 
I'm forwarding information about the Iowa Rivers Revival's dam seminar, to be held April 21 in Des Moines.

If you haven't already heard of it and/or seen photos of it, check out the new whitewater park on the Cedar River in Charles City: <http://ccwhitewater.com/>

And just as impressive are the changes to the Vernon Springs dam on the Turkey River near Cresco: <http://www.fws.gov/midwest/lacrossefisheries/fishpassageTurkeyRiverVernonSpringsDam.html>

Have you ever seen the dam on Squaw Creek at Lincoln Way?  Imagine how it could look!


-------- Original Message --------
Subject: RSVP: River Currents: What's the DAM Solution? (Sat; 4/21)
Date: Wed, 21 Mar 2012 14:48:11 -0500
From: Iowa Rivers Revival <rlehman@...>

Good afternoon,

 

Iowa Rivers Revival encourages you attend this DAM seminar to learn more about the value of free flowing rivers…removing unnecessary and unsafe dams can help boost local recreation and economic interests in utilizing your local river.

 

We would appreciate if you could help get the word out to your network and others stakeholders on your lists?  We hope that you will be able to attend and add to this very important discussion. 

 

Thank you!

 

What's the DAM Solution?  Exploring options for dealing with Iowa dams.

 

IRR is coordinating a dam seminar to address the multiple perspectives concerning dams on rivers in Iowa. We have developed an agenda that will present an overview of dam issues while facilitating a discussion among presenters and participants.

-          What are the purpose of dams; do we need them?

-          What are concerns related to dam safety? 

-          What are some alternatives to new dams?

-          How can we address aging/deteriorating infrastructure that no longer serves it original purpose?


Saturday, April 21, 2012

1:00 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Blank Park Zoo – Discovery Room

7401 SW 9th Street, Des Moines, IA 50315

Registration: $10

RSVP: rlehman@... or 515.202.7720

 

AGENDA

Introduction

Dam Preview

Dam Removal Options – presentations from

-          American Rivers

-          Charles City, Iowa

Dam Panel – discussion among presenters and River Currents participants

Break

River Advocates/Stakeholder Panel – a discussion about different perspectives concerning dams

Wrap-up

 

Iowa’s 2010 Plan for Dam Mitigation:  http://www.iowadnr.gov/Recreation/CanoeingKayaking/LowHeadDams/DamMitigationSafety.aspx

 

Facebook Event link:  http://www.facebook.com/events/100650263400942/

 

Iowa Rivers Revival (IRR) is Iowa’s only statewide river education and advocacy organization committed to protecting one of our most precious natural resources – our rivers and streams. Since 2007, IRR has been working to engage individuals, organizations, communities and our government leaders in river awareness, responsibility and enjoyment in an effort to improve and enhance the condition of Iowa’s waterways – ensuring a quality, safe and lasting resource for future generations.

 

Rosalyn Lehman

Executive Director

Iowa Rivers Revival

PO Box 72, Des Moines, IA 50301

515-202-7720

rlehman@...  |  www.iowarivers.org  |  Facebook


Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)
#929 From: Gaylan Crim <gbcrim@...>
Date: Fri Apr 6, 2012 4:10 pm
Subject: Fw: Swan radio 		gbcrim
Send Email Send Email
 
 
Hi, 
 
Link:
 
http://iowapublicradio.org/news/news_story.php?story=3608
 
Good news story.
 



Reply | Messages in this Topic (2)
#930 From: tburras@...
Date: Fri Apr 6, 2012 4:25 pm
Subject: Re: Fw: Swan radio 		tburras@...
Send Email Send Email
 
Very cool. Thanks for sharing!

-----squawcreek@yahoogroups.com wrote: -----
To: tswan <tswan@...>, squawcreek <squawcreek@yahoogroups.com>
From: Gaylan Crim
Sent by: squawcreek@yahoogroups.com
Date: 04/06/2012 11:10AM
Cc: Mike Meetz <mcmeetz@...>, Jon Bahrenfus <jbahren@...>, Stephen Orr <slorr83@...>, Jean Eells <jceells@...>, Marlene Ehresman <mehresman@...>, Mary Jane Long <mjlong@...>
Subject: [squawcreek] Fw: Swan radio

 

 
Hi, 
 
Link:
 
http://iowapublicradio.org/news/news_story.php?story=3608
 
Good news story.
 



Reply | Messages in this Topic (2)
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