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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 7, 2017
MEDIA CONTACT: Steve Konrady, DNR, at 515-725-8388 or steven.konrady@dnr.iowa.gov.
DES MOINES — In a partnership with the DNR and other state
agencies to improve soil quality and reduce stormwater runoff on the Iowa
Capitol grounds, crews will be applying layers of compost on the State Capitol
Terrace lawns the week of Sept. 11.
The soil quality restoration project will help rainwater
better soak into the Capitol lawns, and that reduces the amount of runoff,
which can carry pollutants, into storm sewers that empty into the Des Moines
River. In addition, the lawn should green up better than before in just a few
weeks.
Crews will be blowing dark-colored compost onto the Capitol
lawns to the west of the Capitol building. It should take about two weeks for
the compost to break down into the soil and become less noticeable. This
process also increases soil health in lawn areas with highly compacted soil or
thin topsoil.
“Soil quality restoration is something that people can do in
their own backyards as well to improve the water quality in their neighborhood
creek or other local waterbody. It also makes their yard look great, too,” said
Steve Konrady with the DNR’s Watershed Improvement Program. “Some communities
in Iowa offer assistance to homeowners for this practice, and this Capitol
Terrace project is a great opportunity to demonstrate the practice to Iowans,
and to work to improve state lands and waters, and cleaner water downstream.”
The project is a partnership effort between the Iowa DNR,
the Iowa Department of Administrative Services, and the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, with technical assistance from the Iowa Department of
Agriculture and Land Stewardship urban conservation program.
MEDIA
CONTACT: Jeff Berckes at (515) 725-8391 or jeff.berckes@dnr.iowa.gov.
IOWA
CITY – Iowans interested in the results of a DNR study to improve water quality
in the Iowa River and its tributaries can attend one of three meetings across
the basin. Citizens are encouraged to bring their questions and ideas to improve
the river to the meeting for discussion.
Multiple
segments of the Iowa River and many of its tributaries are on the state’s list
of impaired waters for high levels of indicator bacteria. The current study, or DNR water quality improvement plan,
shows where the bacteria comes from and how these problems can be addressed.
The plan explores the amounts and sources of bacteria entering the
river system and offers potential solutions to reduce those levels and work
toward fixing the problem. The document is designed as a guide for local resource
agencies, partners, stakeholders and residents to improve the river system. Staff from the DNR’s Watershed
Improvement Program will be on hand to answer questions.
The
meetings will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the following dates and locations:
- Sept. 20, Eldora Public Library, 1202 10th
St., Eldora
- Sept. 26, Marshalltown Public Library, 105 W.
Boone St., Marshalltown
- Oct. 4, Coralville Public Library, Schwab
Auditorium, 1401 5th St., Coralville
Those
not able to attend the public meeting can receive more information at http://www.iowadnr.gov/Environment/WaterQuality/WatershedImprovement/WatershedResearchData/WaterImprovementPlans/PublicMeetingsPlans.aspx
and submit comments on the plan by Oct. 23 via:
E-mail: jeff.berckes@dnr.iowa.gov
Mail: Jeff Berckes, care
of Iowa DNR, Wallace State Office Building,
502
E. Ninth St. Des Moines, Iowa 50319
After
gathering Iowans’ comments, the DNR will forward the final plan, also called by
its technical name of Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), to the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency for approval.
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