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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 6, 2018
MEDIA CONTACT: Mike Anderson at 515-725-8298 or Michael.Anderson@dnr.iowa.gov,
or Tim Hall at 515-725-8298 or Tim.Hall@dnr.iowa.gov.
DES MOINES — Drought conditions in Iowa changed thanks to
the wettest August since 2007, according to the latest Water Summary Update.
Iowa received 6.19 inches of rainfall in August, 1.99 inches
above the 30-year climatological average. Northern portions of the state
received above normal rainfall, while southern portions received below normal
rainfall in the first part of the month, then above average rainfall after
that.
As a result, shallow groundwater conditions improved
dramatically in the last two weeks over south central and southeast Iowa.
Streamflow conditions in much of the state remained in the above and much above
normal condition. Many areas have received more than 10 inches of rainfall,
but slight drought conditions still exist in Keokuk County and portions of Van
Buren, Henry and Des Moines counties. Meanwhile, parts of central, east central
and northeast Iowa have dealt with flooding.
Temperatures across the state
were slightly warmer than average at 72 degrees, about a half of a degree
warmer than normal. The highest temperature recorded during the month was 100
degrees in Lamoni on Aug. 6, and the coolest overnight low was 41 degrees in
Cherokee on Aug, 29.
For a thorough review of Iowa’s water resource trends, go
to www.iowadnr.gov/watersummaryupdate.
The report is prepared by technical staff from Iowa DNR, the
Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, IIHR—Hydroscience and
Engineering, and the U.S. Geological Survey, in collaboration with Iowa
Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department.
MEDIA CONTACT: Jerah Sheets at 515-313-8909 or Jerah.Sheets@dnr.iowa.gov.
ELKADER—Prior to its business meeting, the Environmental
Protection Commission will learn about the unique geology that makes northeast
Iowa a trout-fishing destination.
At 12:30, following lunch at Country Rose Café, 112 Commercial
St. in Strawberry Point, commissioners will assemble for a tour of the area’s
unique karst topography, which includes sinkholes and cold water streams. Tour guides
come from the University of Iowa’s Geological Survey. The public is welcome to
attend. Dinner follows at 6 p.m. in the Franklin Hotel Restaurant, 102 Elkader
St., Strawberry Point.
Starting at 10 a.m., Sept. 18, commissioners will hold their
business meeting at the Osborne Welcome Center, 29862 Osborne Road, Elkader. The
meeting is open to the public. At the discretion of the chairperson, requests to speak during the
business meeting will be limited to comments that specifically address agenda
items.
Budgets for state fiscal years 2020 and 2021 are up for commissioners’
approval. Commissioners will also be asked to approve contracts with the
University of Iowa Flood Center, the U.S. Geological Survey and several
entities proposing solid waste alternative projects.
Annual fees
for water use permits and quarterly plans for wastewater and drinking water revolving
loan projects are also up for approval.
Please
submit requests to speak and written comments to Jerah Sheets at Jerah.Sheets@dnr.iowa.gov or
515-313-8909, or DNR, 502 E. Ninth St., Des Moines, IA 50319 by noon the day before the meeting.
The complete agenda follows:
Approval of Agenda
Approval of the Minutes
Monthly Reports
Acting Director’s Remarks
FY2020-
FY2021 Budget Request
Contract
Amendment #2 with University of Iowa Flood Center
Solid
Waste Alternatives Program – Contract Recommendations
Water Supply – Water Use & Allocation Annual Permit Fee
Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund - FY 2019 Intended Use Plans
The United
States Geological Survey
General Discussion
- Annual Report New Due Dates
Items for Next
Month’s Meeting
- Oct.
16 – EPC Business Meeting – Des Moines
- Nov.
20 – EPC Business Meeting – Des Moines
The complete agenda
and item briefs are available on the DNR website.
Commissioners
include: Ralph Lents, Menlo, chair; Joe Riding, Altoona, vice chair; Rebecca Guinn, Bettendorf, Secretary; Mary Boote, Des
Moines; Nancy Couser, Nevada; Howard Hill, Cambridge; Harold Hommes, Windsor
Heights; and Bob Sinclair, Sigourney. Bruce Trautman is the acting director of
the DNR.
MEDIA CONTACT: Lori
Hanson, DNR, at 515-725-9525 or Lori.Hanson@dnr.iowa.gov for
Title V permits.
DES MOINES – The DNR Air Quality
Bureau has the following draft permits up for review. The permits help protect
Iowans’ health and the air where we live. DNR’s permitting staff review the
applications to ensure facilities comply with state and federal air quality
standards. The public has the right and is encouraged to comment on draft
permits. DNR considers public
comments before finalizing the permits. Submit comments in writing
to the assigned permit writer before 4:30 p.m. on the last day of the public
comment period.
Title
V Operating Permits
Title V Operating permits are
reviewed and re-issued every five years. Facilities with a Title V permit have
the potential to emit large amounts of air pollutants compared to other
facilities. The five-year reviews are a federal requirement and ensure adequate
monitoring is included in the permit. The DNR plans to issue Title V
Operating Permits for the
following facilities. Find permit
details at www.iowadnr.gov/titlev-draft.
Marion County
MidAmerican Energy Co. – located at 307 Godfrey Lane, Knoxville. The application was submitted to operate
their existing Electric Services facility. The public comment period
ends Oct. 6.
Dubuque
County
Eagle Window & Door, Inc.
located at 2045 Kerper Blvd, Dubuque. The application was submitted to
operate their existing Millwork facility. The public comment period ends Oct. 6.
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