Update: this bill did not pass through the funnel on February 16, 2024, and is unlikely to move forward this legislative session.

Muzzling complaints to DNR

Currently if members of the public observe pollution, fish kills, or violations of rules enforced by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), they can file an anonymous complaint with the DNR.  The DNR then investigates the complaint, initiates cleanup of the pollution, and enforces the law.

That all would change if a bill moving through the Senate is approved.  The bill would eliminate the filing of anonymous complaints.  Further the bill says that the DNR “may” investigate the complaint, not “shall” investigate.  The name of the person filing the complaint would be given to the party who is being investigated.

It is often difficult for a person to file complaints about a neighbor.  Reporters legitimately fear being harassed, intimidated, or victimized by other retribution from the wrong-doer.  The DNR relies on the public to file complaints when they see things that are harming the environment.

This bill will have a chilling effect on reporting violations of the state’s environmental laws.  If people are complying with the laws, they should have no fear.  The net effect of this proposed law would be that polluters would get a free pass.  This is not moving the state in the right direction.

Jared Strong reported in the Capital Dispatch that the DNR receives “between 1,300 and 1,500 complaints each year, and about half of them are from anonymous sources, said Tammie Krausman, a DNR spokesman.  A “vast majority” of those complaints lead to some type of corrective action, ranging from recommendations to fines, she said.”  For reference, see Jared Strong, “Legislation seeks to curtail anonymous environmental complaints”, Capital Dispatch, January 25, 2024

What you can do: Ask members of the Senate Natural Resources and Environment Committee to oppose SSB3103.  Their email addresses are annette.sweeney@legis.iowa.gov , tom.shipley@legis.iowa.gov , izaah.knox@legis.iowa.gov ,  liz.bennett@legis.iowa.gov , claire.celsi@legis.iowa.gov , chris.cournoyer@legis.iowa.gov , rocky.dewitt@legis.iowa.gov , dawn.driscoll@legis.iowa.gov , lynn.evans@legis.iowa.gov , jesse.green@legis.iowa.gov , ken.rozenboom@legis.iowa.gov , sarah.trone.garriott@legis.iowa.gov , dan.zumbach@legis.iowa.gov

Photo below: Bloody Run Creek in Clayton County, Iowa.