Unnecessary hurdle in listing waters as impaired
UPDATE: Although it was scheduled for a House vote, the legislature did not vote on this bill on March 4. This bill failed to pass the second funnel and is not moving forward.
Every two years, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) creates an impaired waters list (also called a 303(d) list) of water bodies that are not meeting their water quality standards. Once a water is on the list, the DNR is supposed to prepare a total maximum daily load (TMDL) which includes a plan for bringing the water body into compliance with water quality standards.
One of the criteria that places a water on the impaired waters list is fecal indicator bacteria.
The legislature is considering a bill that would require the DNR to determine the source, by species, of the bacteria before a water could be put on the impaired waters list - each species of animal would be designated by percentage that contributed to the impairment.
This bill is not necessary. Once high levels of fecal indicator bacteria are detected in a water body, it is to be placed on the impaired waters list, as required by the Clean Water Act.
When a water is placed on the impaired waters list, it simply means that the water does not meet water quality standards. It does not matter what species of animal or animals caused the high levels of fecal indicator bacteria.
This is simply a way to avoid listing of waters as impaired for fecal indicator bacteria - just delaying or dodging a listing. Humans, pets, livestock, and wildlife can become sick from exposure to waters that have high levels of fecal indicator bacteria.
It is also a means for the livestock industry to avoid accepting responsibility that their farming practices have caused pollution to enter the state's water bodies and have allowed them to avoid cleaning up their pollution.
Once the water is placed on the impaired waters list and the TMDL is being prepared, it may make sense to determine what species caused it, which is when the time and expense should be expended.
Given that budgets are flat, it is a waste of taxpayer money to test all waters with fecal indicator bacteria to determine the source species, be it human, livestock, or wildlife.
What you can do
This bill is ready for a House vote. Ask your state representative to oppose HF2530 (formerly HSB657). To look up your House member, see Iowa Legislature - Representatives , www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/house , or to Find your legislator
Iowa has a serious water quality problem. Everyone knows about it. We need to deal with it and not try to avoid it.
