Weekly Water Watch June 3, 2022

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There are 2 beach advisories for the week of 6 /3:

Lake Darling Beach (Brighton, Washington County, IA)*
Nine Eagles Beach (Davis City, Decatur County, IA)*

*Data from the Iowa DNR State Park Beach Monitoring Program
**Data from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District

IEC and ELPC Call for DNR to Protect Floodplains from CAFO Pollution

The Iowa Environmental Council (IEC) and Environmental Law and Policy Center (ELPC) last month filed a petition for rulemaking with the Environmental Protection Commission, seeking to adopt a floodplain map into state law. The legislature charged the Commission with adopting a floodplain map in 2002 to implement restrictions on feedlot siting, but the Commission never did so.

"This petition should not be necessary," said Ingrid Gronstal, Water Program Director for IEC. "Iowa has endured devastating floods, such as the floods of 2008 and 2019. Climate change will only increase the potential and scale of these disasters. We should be preparing for these types of repeated events. Iowans deserve better from their state agencies."

Iowa law prohibits new confinement feedlots and expansion of existing feedlots on the 100-year floodplain, as adopted into state rules. The petition requests the EPC adopt the floodplain map developed by the Iowa Flood Center in partnership with DNR, which is the best available information statewide.

"There is no excuse for waiting decades to comply with the law," said Josh Mandelbaum, senior staff attorney with ELPC. "Iowa’s waters cannot afford for the state to wait any longer."

Watch this video as we break down the process and why the adoption of the flood maps are important for Iowa waterways.

Continue reading in our newsroom

Next week is Pro H2O! We hope you'll join us on June 9 for a celebration featuring networking, a clean water awards presentation and programming, great food and drink, and a concert by singer-songwriter Susan Werner.

Get your tickets today to join us in person in Des Moines, Iowa City, or Okoboji, or virtually from anywhere with an internet connection!

You can also get bids in now on our 2022 Pro H2O Virtual Auction. Which is full of items from businesses and individuals who value IEC's water work! Our virtual auction is another way to get involved and support clean water in Iowa. Enjoy a getaway to Lake Superior or the Driftless region in northeast Iowa. Get a gift basket from a local business like Back Country Outfitters, Paws & Pints, RAYGUN, or Bozz Prints. Art for your home, a visit to Blank Park Zoo, the Science Center, or to see the I-Cubs or Iowa Wolves – all of this and more is open for bidding now! Bids will be accepted until 5 p.m. on June 16. But don’t wait! S take your claim on these items today and help support the work of IEC to make Iowa a better place to live, work, and explore.

Over 30 events from June 7-12 celebrate the health and community of the Mississippi River

The Mississippi River Network (MRN) will host six days of events and actions as part of its second-annual River Days of Action. The events will take place both online and in nearly all 10 states that border the Mississippi River from June 7-12, 2022.

“From river cleanups and habitat restoration events to environmental justice-focused opportunities, there is something for everyone,” said MRN’s Executive Director Kelly McGinnis. “Together, we are also showing up for the River by taking actions in-person and online.”

The full calendar of events and registration links can be found here.

Watch on YouTube - Iowa Water Watch 2022 Summer Recreation Preview

On May 25, IEC water program staff and a panel of experts from around the state previewed the summer recreation season, including a look at water quality trends and what Iowans should keep an eye out for this summer. They discussed the value of Iowa’s lakes and the threats they face from harmful algal blooms and bacteria contamination.

The webinar is now available on our Iowa Environmental Council YouTube channel.

Watch this video to learn ways you and your loved ones can stay safe while enjoying Iowa’s waters and how you can advocate for clean beaches and healthy lakes.

Introducing IEC's New Letter to the Editor Toolkit

Interested in taking action for clean water this summer? A letter to the editor of your local newspaper is a great way to raise awareness and speak up for water!

IEC has prepared a toolkit to help you write and send your own letter to the editor (LTE).

Check out writing tips and find out how to submit to local Iowa papers. We’ve even prepared some draft language you can draw inspiration from or even adapt to make your own.

If you write a letter and submit it, or would like any assistance, please let us know by reaching out to Communications Director Angelisa Belden at belden@iaenvironment.org.

Share Your Summer with IEC on Instagram

Follow us at @iowawaterwatch

Check out Iowa Water Watch on Instagram and give us a follow. Tag us on your photos using @iowawaterwatch and the #iowawaterwatch hashtag, so we can feature your photos throughout the summer with other readers.