Factory farm rules must be strengthened

Iowa's 21 million hogs produce nearly 10 billion gallons of toxic manure each year that threatens Iowa's water quality.

The Department of Natural Resources has written a rule to implement the Clean Water Act for factory farms in Iowa, but the rule isn't strong enough to clean up our water and hold polluters accountable. There are two ways you can make your voice heard. One is to submit your comment to the DNR at gene.tinker@dnr.iowa.gov; the second is to attend a public hearing at 6 p.m. May 13 at the Washington County Conservation Board Education Center in Ainsworth.

The Clean Water Act rule needs to be strengthened in four ways:

1. All factory farm polluters need a Clean Water Act permit or get shut down.

2. A 'three strikes and you're out” provision for habitual polluters.

3. Factory farm polluters bear the burden of proof assuring pollution will not happen again, not the DNR or the people of Iowa.

4. The rule should require the DNR to build a comprehensive, user-friendly, online database of manure spills, and clean water inspections and permitting.

When is too much pollution, too much? Now! Make your voices heard. I want a clean Iowa for future generations, how about you?

Pat Bowen

Iowa City