|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 8, 2018
MEDIA CONTACT: Jerah
Sheets at 515-313-8909 or Jerah.Sheets@dnr.iowa.gov.
WINDSOR HEIGHTS--The Environmental Protection Commission
will meet Feb. 20 in Windsor Heights to hear updates on Environmental
Management Systems grant awards, air quality rules, and contracts for watershed
improvement projects.
The meeting begins at 10 a.m. at DNR Field Office 5, Suite
200 at 7900 Hickman Road.
The complete agenda follows:
- Approval of Agenda
- Approval of the Minutes
- Monthly Reports
- Public Participation
- Director’s Remarks
- Environmental Management Systems Grant Award Recommendation
- Final Rules: Air Quality Regulatory Certainty Rules Part 2 -
Chapters 20, 22, 23, 25, 30, 33 and 34
- Iowa State University Contract
- Iowa State University Contract
- Demand for Hearing Humboldt
- Contracts with IDALS for Lake Geode and Price Creek
Watershed Projects
- Referral to the Attorney General – Deere & Company
- General Discussion
- Items for Next Month’s Meeting
- Tuesday, March 20, 2018 – EPC Business Meeting – Windsor
Heights
- Monday, April 16, 2018 – Educational Tour – Adams County
- Tuesday, April 17, 2018 – EPC Business Meeting – Adams County
The complete agenda
and item briefs are available on the DNR website.
Commissioners include Chad
Ingels, Randalia, chair; Ralph Lents, Menlo, vice chair; Joe Riding, Altoona,
secretary; Mary Boote, Des Moines; Nancy Couser, Nevada; Howard Hill,
Cambridge; Barbara Hovland, Mason
City; Rebecca Guinn, Bettendorf; and Bob Sinclair,
Sigourney. Chuck Gipp is the director of the DNR.
MEDIA CONTACT: Matthew Dvorak,
DNR, at 515-725-8397 or Matthew.Dvorak@dnr.iowa.gov
DES MOINES — The DNR is extending the submission deadline for
comments on water quality standards in Iowa to March 30.
The DNR wants to know Iowans’ thoughts on improving the
state’s water quality goals as the DNR conducts its every-three-years review of water quality standards.
For additional information on the state’s water quality
standards and the triennial review process,
please visit the DNR's water quality standards webpage at: http://www.iowadnr.gov/Environmental-Protection/Water-Quality/Water-Quality-Standards.
The public can submit written comments to Matthew Dvorak,
Iowa Department of Natural Resources, 502 E. Ninth St., Des Moines, IA 50319, or by email
at matthew.dvorak@dnr.iowa.gov.
DNR
Contact: Scott Flagg, 515-725-8318 or Scott.Flagg@dnr.iowa.gov.
DES MOINES – The next round
of funding for the 2018 Derelict Building Grant Program is open for
applications through April 4 at 4 p.m.
The
grant program was instituted by state legislation to help rural communities
with populations of 5,000 or less to deconstruct or renovate abandoned
commercial and public structures.
The
program emphasizes reuse and recycling of building items, helps improve street
appearance and commercial development, and alleviates the environmental concern
these buildings can pose. Financial
assistance includes asbestos removal, building deconstruction and renovation,
and other environmental services.
Funding
is awarded annually on a competitive basis. A committee from the Iowa DNR, Iowa
Society of Solid Waste Operations, Iowa Recycling Association, Iowa Economic
Development Authority and Keep Iowa Beautiful selects the projects for funding.
For more information and to obtain an application on the Derelict
Building Grant Program, contact Scott Flagg at 515-725-8318 or Scott.Flagg@dnr.iowa.gov.
MEDIA CONTACTS: Kelli Book at 515-725-9572 or Kelli.Book@dnr.iowa.gov.
DES MOINES – In January, 89 of 99 Iowa counties
notified DNR that they plan to evaluate construction permit applications and
proposed locations for animal confinements by using the master matrix.
With 10 exceptions, all counties will use the
matrix during the next 12 months. The following counties will not use the
matrix in 2018: Davis, Des Moines, Keokuk,
Lee, Mahaska, Osceola, Plymouth, Wapello, Warren and Washington.
Animal producers in these counties must meet
more requirements than other confinement producers who need a construction
permit. Producers qualify by choosing a site and using practices that reduce
impacts on air, water and the community.
Counties that adopt the master matrix can
provide more input to producers on site selection, and proposed structures and
facility management. Participating counties score each master matrix submitted
in their county and can recommend to approve or deny the construction permit.
They can also join in DNR visits to a proposed confinement site.
While all counties may submit comments to DNR
during the permitting process, counties that adopt the master matrix can also
appeal a preliminary permit to the state Environmental Protection Commission.
The deadline for enrolling in the program is
Jan. 31 of each year.
Find more information, including a map of
participating counties by searching for Master Matrix at www.iowadnr.gov/afo
or directly on the master
matrix web page.
The master matrix applies to producers who must
get a construction permit to build, expand or modify a totally roofed facility.
Generally, these are confinement feeding operations with at least 2,500
finishing hogs, 1,000 beef cattle or 715 mature dairy cows.
MEDIA CONTACT: Ed Tormey, DNR, at
515-725-8373 or Ed.Tormey@dnr.iowa.gov.
DES MOINES – DNR staff work with
individuals, businesses and communities to help them protect our natural
resources by complying with state and federal laws. This approach is very
effective. In the few cases where compliance cannot be achieved, the DNR issues
enforcement actions. The following list summarizes recent enforcement actions.
Find the entire, original orders on DNR’s website at www.iowadnr.gov/EnforcementActions.
Consent Orders
A consent order is issued as an
alternative to issuing an administrative order. A consent order indicates that
the DNR has voluntarily entered into a legally enforceable agreement with the
other party.
Calhoun County
Ryan Kent
Operate and maintain all animal feeding operation
structures in compliance with DNR rules and pay $3,000 penalty.
|
