Weekly Water Watch August 6, 2021

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There are 11 beach advisories for the week of 8/6

10 Beaches with an E. coli-related Advisory:
Backbone Beach (Dundee, Delaware County, IA)*
Emerson Bay Beach (West Okoboji Lake, Milford, Dickinson County, IA)*
Lake Darling Beach (Brighton, Washington County, IA)*
Lake Manawa Beach (Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County, IA)*
Lake of Three Fires Beach (Bedford, Taylor County, IA)*
Lower Pine Lake Beach (Eldora, Hardin County, IA)*
Nine Eagles Beach (Davis City, Decatur County, IA)*
North Overlook Beach (Lake Red Rock, Pella, Marion County, IA)**
Prairie Rose Beach (Harlan, Shelby County, IA)*
Whitebreast Beach (Lake Red Rock, Pella, Marion County, IA)**

1 Beach with a Microcystin-related Advisory:
Lower Pine Lake Beach (Eldora, Hardin County, IA)*
*Data from the Iowa DNR State Park Beach Monitoring Program
**Data from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District

Why I want Iowa to Fund the Trust

IEC Water and Land Stewardship program summer intern Rachel James reflects on what she learned about Iowa's natural resource funding opportunities and why she feels it's time for Iowa to fund the Trust.

As a college student in Des Moines, whenever I was stressed or worried or simply up to my eyeballs in studying, I would go to a park. Gray’s Lake and Saylorville Lake became my oases. There’s something to be said about nature bringing peace and clarity. But while there were some pleasant recreational areas to visit during my school year, there was also a notable lack of safe, clean outdoor spaces. A kayak trip isn’t worth a potential skin irritant, at least not to me and my friends.

Imagine my reaction when I began my internship as the Water and Land Stewardship summer intern at the Iowa Environment Council and realized I had been only dipping my toe into the troubled waters of Iowa, so to speak. And it wasn’t just the water quality issues that bothered me, but also the approach to funding them.

Did you know that for more than a decade, Iowa’s Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund (also known as Iowa’s Water and Land Legacy, or IWILL) has sat neglected and empty? More than 60% of Iowans voted in favor of a constitutional amendment establishing a permanent source of funding for clean water, outdoor recreation, and wildlife habitat. However, to be funded, the Iowa State Legislature must pass a 3/8ths cent increase in the state sales tax.

It is clear to me that IWILL would be an asset in improving Iowa’s environment and increasing our quality of life. It has been a decade - half my lifetime! - since voters approved the Trust. That is so much wasted time that could've been spent addressing serious conservation and water quality issues in this state. And yet, I hadn’t heard about this before I started my work at IEC...

Continue reading in Iowa Environmental Voice

Pro H2O is Next Month and You're Invited!

We can't wait for next month's biggest fundraising event of the year for the water and land program! Join us in person (safely) at locations around Iowa or virtually for your own watch party at home. There will be music, awards, and celebration. After a year of successful virtual events, we're offering more ways than ever to join us for the clean water party of the year.

Celebrate with us Thursday, September 16, from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. for an evening of supporting the Iowa Environmental Council's Water and Land Program. Thank you for your interest in the work we do and joining us to make Iowa a better place to live, work, and explore!

Created... but Not Funded

Iowa's Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund was created by voters in 2010. However, the Trust remains unfunded by the state legislature.

Watch and learn how funding the trust would benefit Iowans. From protecting and improving Iowa's water quality for recreation, drinking, and wildlife; to increasing opportunities for Iowans to enjoy Iowa's natural resources and participate in healthy outdoor activities; and increasing economic opportunity, attracting and retaining a talented workforce, and generating local revenue.

Snag an Iowa Water Watch sticker!

If you haven't checked it out yet, we have an Instagram account! Head over to Iowa Water Watch on Instagram and give us a follow.

Tag us on your photos using @iowawaterwatch and the #iowawaterwatch hashtag.

If you tag us and share your Iowa water images with us, whether you're out having fun or spotting a problem, we will send you our new Iowa Water Watch sticker shown here. Decorate your water bottle, laptop, or kayak with it!