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Dear DNR Director Vonk,
Manure pollution from Iowa’s large-scale
livestock operations has contaminated our state’s rivers,
lakes and streams. Bacteria, nitrogen, phosphorus, and other pollutants
from factory farm waste are threatening public health, aquatic life
and recreation throughout our state because these facilities have
been allow to escape Clean Water Act regulation and enforcement
for decades. As a result, Iowa has experienced more than 400 illegal
manure spills in the past ten years.
A recent Circuit Court ruling determined
that EPA rules to require Clean Water Act permits of all factory
farms did not go far enough to protect water quality or public input;
the ruling also stated that facilities that have discharged manure
in the past must obtain strong, protective and enforceable permits.
We urge you to create rules now to require strong individual permits
of all Iowa factory farms.
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