Create clear guidelines for producers to follow

Eight beef feedlots in northwestern Iowa face Clean Water Act enforcement actions, according to the federal Environmental Protection Agency. Iowans should be deeply concerned about this issue as it affirms that harmful pollutants from concentrated animal feeding operations are being discharged into our rivers and streams. And unfortunately, these eight are among 24 enforcement actions by the EPA in Iowa this year.

Where is the Iowa Department of Natural Resources on these actions? The DNR is responsible for enforcing the Clean Water Act in Iowa. Why does it take the EPA to bring these violations to light?

The answer is more complicated than just pointing the finger at DNR. The DNR's budget has been cut dramatically and enforcement has suffered significantly. The Iowa Legislature has not demonstrated the political will to support the DNR.

The EPA has focused on the large animal feeding operations in the past, and Iowa revised state rules to be consistent with federal guidelines. Now the EPA is turning its attention to the medium-sized animal feeding operations.

Many producers in this medium-sized range have been operating under the assumption that they are in compliance, often based on information from the DNR.

Iowa needs to step up and create clear and concise guidelines for these producers to follow. It is time for Iowa legislators to support the DNR by ensuring it has the resources necessary to do its job.

Marian Riggs Gelb

Executive director

Iowa Environmental Council