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There are 9 beach advisories for the week of 9/2

8 Beaches with an E. coli-related Advisory:
Backbone Beach (Dundee, Delaware County, IA)*
Big Creek Beach (Polk City, Polk County, IA)*
Brushy Creek Beach (Lehigh, Webster County, IA)*

Emerson Bay Beach (West Okoboji Lake, Milford, Dickinson County, IA)*
Lake Darling Beach (Brighton, Washington County, IA)*
Lower Pine Lake Beach (Eldora, Hardin County, IA)*

Nine Eagles Beach (Davis City, Decatur County, IA)*
Union Grove Beach (Gladbrook, Tama County, IA)*
1 beach with a microcystin advisory:
Green Valley Beach (Creston, Union County, IA)*

3 City and County Beaches exceed the state’s advisory threshold for E. coli.*
View the map on our website to see where they are.

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

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IEC calls for action to reduce fertilizer pollution

The Iowa Environmental Council has released a report calling on state agencies to take action after nearly ten years with little progress under the state’s Nutrient Reduction Strategy (NRS). The report, The Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy: Ten Years and No Progress, calls for a timeline and realistic changes in policy to achieve the state’s pollution reduction goals.  

"For decades, Iowa has relied on voluntary and publicly-funded conservation measures to achieve nitrogen and phosphorus reductions in our state waterways. Those voluntary measures aren’t enough," said Alicia Vasto, IEC’s Water Program Associate Director. "As we and many others have stated, we need consequences for failing to meet the goals, not more of the same actions that have gotten us barely out of the starting block." 

"Across the state, I have heard Iowans wishing for cleaner water that is safe for fishing, swimming, and drinking," said Brian Campbell, IEC’s Executive Director. "People are infuriated by how dirty our water is and how little is being done about it. The state needs to take action."

The NRS was completed in 2013 by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and Iowa State University. The state legislature codified the NRS as the official state policy to address phosphorus and nitrogen pollution and has allocated more than $500m of state funds, backed by Iowa taxpayers. Under this current state policy and current pace of adoption, nitrogen and phosphorus reduction goals may not be achieved for 22,325 years. 

 

We've got just under $10,000 to go - help us get there!

The support we've received on our 2022 Water Match has been nothing short of incredible. Because of your generosity, we are less than $10,000 away from making our $25,000 matching gift from a generous donor to support all of the clean water work you are reading about here. Now is the time – make a gift today, have your impact doubled, and help us finish reaching our goal! 

 

Mark your calendar for next Wednesday, and let's make it a HAPPY hour and a half at our End of Summer Beach Bash! Come see us at Bobber's Grill on the shore of Coralville Lake from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. on September 7.

Starting at 6 p.m., we'll host a short program to recap what happened over the summer in Iowa water news, talk about beach advisories, and share ways you can get involved in the effort to improve Iowa's beaches and lakes. 

Snacks and beverages will be available for purchase. Attendees will also have a chance to win an IEC and Mississippi River Network-themed prize at the end of the event! 

Attendance is free, but please RSVP by September 6. Invite your friends out to this and come network with folks passionate about Iowa's waters!

Seats are going fast to join us for our first live and in-person Wild & Scenic Film Festival!

Join us next weekend, Sunday, September 11 from 1 to 4 p.m., as we explore a variety of environmental films, all featured on the big screen!

This year's festival features an all new line-up of inspiring films on clean water and clean energy, climate, and environmental justice. You'll be hosted by emcee Kellie Kramer, co-host of Iowa Outdoors on Iowa PBS, at the Palms Theatres & IMAX in Waukee for an inspiring afternoon of films and a local panel conversation. 

Seating is limited and is going fast, so don't delay - get your tickets today! With your in-person ticket, enjoy popcorn, candy, and a drink; you'll also take home a cool IEC camp cup! Or, join us virtually and we will send you a bag of popcorn to enjoy at home.

 

What's new in Iowa's water news:

Upcoming water events:

• End of Summer Celebration - Clear Lake - Sept. 4
O.W.L.S.: Pelicans! - Polk Co. - Sept. 6
IEC's End of Season Beach Bash - Coralville Lake - Sept. 7
• Make-And-Take Rain Barrel Workshop - Easter Lake Park, Polk Co. - Sept. 7
• Sunset Eco Cruise - Rock Creek Marina, Clinton Co. - Sept. 8
• Green Eating - Jester Park Nature Center, Polk Co. - Sept. 8
Heritage Days at Liberty Lake - Ringgold Co. - Sept. 10
Moonlight Paddle - Fontana Park, Buchanan Co. - Sept. 10
• 2022 Pelican Festival - Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area - Sept. 11
• Quarry Springs Paddle Skedaddle - Polk Co. - Sept. 11
• Save Our Streams Macroinvertebrate Field Training - Jefferson, IA - Sept. 17
Iowa River Clean Up - Johnson Co. - Oct. 8

 

Follow Us

Iowa Environmental Council
505 Fifth Ave., Suite 850 
 Des Moines, Iowa 50309-2317
515-244-1194 | iecmail@iaenvironment.org

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