Cancer Listening Sessions Launch

The Iowa Environmental Council and The Harkin Institute announced the launch of a new initiative that explores the relationship between environmental risk factors and cancer rates in Iowa, including listening sessions that start next week.

Iowa has the second-highest cancer rates in the nation, and it is among only two states where cancer rates are increasing, not decreasing. An estimated 21,200 new invasive cancers will be diagnosed among Iowans in 2025, according to the Iowa Cancer Registry’s annual “Cancer in Iowa” report.

While some risk factors for cancers are well known and studied, such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and ultraviolet radiation from the sun or tanning beds, other potential causes are less understood.

“We know that our environment and our health are inextricably linked,” says Sarah Green, Executive Director of the Iowa Environmental Council. “With so many Iowans’ lives touched by cancer, it’s important that we explore every link and find ways we can work together to mitigate all potential sources of risk and save lives.”

The initiative is the first of its kind to combine a rigorous review of existing academic research about environmental risk factors and their sources with a statewide campaign to listen to, understand, and amplify Iowans’ own lived experiences with cancer.

Swampbuster Protected

Last week, federal judge C.J. Williams of the Northern District of Iowa ruled in favor of sustainable agriculture groups and family farmers in CTM Holdings, LLC v. U.S. Department of Agriculture, which sought to gut longstanding clean water and wetlands protections.

The ruling is a victory for wetlands, habitat, and water quality throughout the United States. Environmental and sustainable agriculture groups including Iowa Farmers Union, Iowa Environmental Council, Dakota Rural Action, and Food & Water Watch intervened in the case to defend longstanding “Swampbuster” Farm Bill provisions from the plaintiff’s effort to have the program deemed unconstitutional.

Read the entire press release on our website.

Continued Water Shortages

Starting this spring, water shortages and use restrictions have been spreading throughout the state. Water utility customers from the Avoca Treatment Plant System were issued restrictions, including: No outdoor watering of lawns, gardens or landscapes; restaurants may only serve water upon request; and all leaks must be repaired within 48 hours of detection.

As concerns of drought affected Avoca, Central Iowa Water Works (CIWW) asked customers last week to begin reducing lawn watering due to pollution of water sources. CIWW provides drinking water to over 600,000 customers across Des Moines, Ankeny, Clive, Grimes, Johnston, Norwalk, Polk City, Urbandale, Warren Water District, Waukee, West Des Moines, and the Xenia Rural Water District.

Get Involved

• June 11: Riverine Walk - Davenport
• June 11: Bee Branch Day Tour - Davenport
• June 11: Warren County Cancer Listening Session
• June 12: Polk County Cancer Listening Session
• June 14: Riverine Walk - Davenport
• June 14: Sierra Club Iowa Chapter Annual Meeting - Webster City
• June 16: Riverine Walk - Davenport
• June 17: Des Moines County Cancer Listening Session
• June 18: Scott County Cancer Listening Session
• June 18: Johnson County Cancer Listening Session
• June 30: Protecting Iowa Wetlands - Virtual

River Days of Action 
This week we celebrated the first-ever National Mississippi River Day! Whether it's participating in a local cleanup, attending a webinar, or advocating for river-friendly policies, your actions matter. Join thousands this June 1–15 in making an impact during at 1 Mississippi’s River Days of Action.

Protecting Wetlands Webinar
On June 30, IEC's General Counsel Michael Schmidt and Hardin County farmer John Gilbert will present on the impact of wetlands and the Swampbuster case. This free webinar will include background on IEC's intervention into the federal case, the many benefits of wetlands, what the decision means for farmers.

Hear from IEC's Water Program Director

Hello, Weekly Water Watch readers!

Beach advisories are beginning to ramp up this season amidst a flurry of other environmental concerns: sudden flash floods, poor air quality, and high heat indexes. We always encourage our readers to rely on alerts from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and check your local weather forecasting before hitting the beach. Learn more about environmental and water quality monitoring resources on our website at iaenvrionment.org/waterqualitymonitoring.

Have a wonderful weekend!
- Colleen