Latest news with #DriftlessWaterDefenders
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Are Iowa lakes safe for Memorial Day weekend?
Fishing at Gray's Lake park in Des Moines on May 23, 2025. (Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch) Memorial Day weekend is typically considered the opening weekend for summer water recreation, but for some Iowans the thought of diving headfirst into a lake sounds more concerning than refreshing. Driftless Water Defenders, an environmental group based in northeastern Iowa, is launching an initiative to bring awareness to the 'deteriorating quality' of Iowa's water and its impact on summer recreation. The first beach monitoring report of the season, issued by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, shows the department does not recommend swimming from beaches at four of the 41 monitored state lakes. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX DNR tests waters at the beaches weekly during the summer season, from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, for E. coli bacteria and microcystins. When levels of either exceed safety levels, DNR issues a beach warning which is not a closure, but an advisory to visitors that the water 'may carry a higher risk' of causing things like diarrhea, nausea or other acute symptoms. According to a press release from DNR, advisories are especially important for Iowans with weakened immune systems, young children or those who plan to swim and might ingest water. Advisories are issued when E. coli levels are higher than 235 colony forming units, or CFU, per 100 milliliters. At this threshold, the estimated illness rate is 36 minor illnesses per 1,000 swimmers. High concentrations of E. coli can also signal that other bacteria or pathogens are present in the water. The DNR beach monitoring also logs county and city beach test results. As of Friday, beaches at F.W. Kent Park, Hickory Grove Park and Lake Iowa Park had E. coli values above the standard. Microcystins, which DNR also monitors at beaches, are toxins produced by types of blue-green algae that can cause acute health effects, like rashes, nausea, diarrhea, or fever. These algal blooms appear as green 'paint-like' scum on bodies of water and should be avoided, especially if they have an oily appearance. According to DNR, Iowa saw seven microcystin-related beach advisories in 2024. The blooms occur in nutrient-rich waters, which are exacerbated by industrial and agricultural runoff. Iowa Environmental Council monitors the lake data throughout the summer as well and reported 23 state park beaches had swim advisories in 2024. IEC also noted Green Valley Lake, Honey Creek Resort Beach, and Lake Anita as the only monitored state lake beaches that have never had an E. coli related advisory. The 48 Lakes Initiative, headed by Driftless Water Defenders, will kick off Saturday at 10 lakes across the state with in-person meet ups and the distribution of water quality statistics at each lake. Attendees are encouraged to share their experiences of recreating in Iowa lakes and how it has changed over time. Chris Jones, the organization's president, said industrial agriculture practices are polluting the waters and 'depriving' Iowans of recreational opportunities. 'The Iowa citizens' dialogue we are starting today will help citizens to increase the accountability of polluters and governmental agencies responsible for enforcing the state's environmental laws and regulations,' Jones said in a statement. Those interested in attending a Saturday meet up can find more information online. The organization hopes the citizen-initiated dialogue will persist through the summer on social media and it encouraged folks to share their stories with the tags : #NoSwimEra and #48Lakes. Food and Water Watch, Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement and Progress Iowa are also supporting the initiative. Mazie Stilwell, the executive director for Progress Iowa, said the state's rivers, beaches and lakes should be enjoyed 'free of worry.' 'But for Iowans, you either enter at your own risk or heed the warnings for fear of getting sick,' Stilwell said in a statement. 'Iowans are making it clear they're done with politicians and wealthy executives who let these waters deteriorate … These are our waters, it's time we turn the tide and clean them up.' Lake temperatures are still fairly chilly for swimming, as the latest fishing report issued by DNR shows most waters measured in the mid 60s, but the department encouraged Iowans to wear lifejackets and stay safe if they do decide to take a plunge. Additionally DNR reminded those camping at state parks to avoid transporting firewood, as it can spread insects like the emerald ash borer or oak wilt. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Agri Star's Postville plant sued for water-quality violations
City of Postville, Iowa. (Photo via Google Earth) A nonprofit advocacy group is suing Agri Star Meat & Poultry of Postville for alleged violations of the federal Clean Water Act. Driftless Water Defenders, an Iowa organization that is focused on water-quality issues, is suing the ag giant in U.S. District Court for the Southern District Iowa over the company's practices at its beef and poultry slaughterhouse in Postville. The lawsuit claims Agri Star has a long and well-documented history of water-pollution violations and that the company continues to discharge pollutants into Hecker Creek, an Iowa tributary of the Yellow River. Both Hecker Creek and the Yellow River are now listed on the federal government's list of 'impaired waterways.' The lawsuit also takes aim at the state for an alleged lack of enforcement action, stating that on Dec. 23, 2024, Driftless Water Defenders served notice of the violations and its intent to file suit in letters sent to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the director of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Since then, the lawsuit claims, neither the EPA nor the DNR has initiated or prosecuted a civil or criminal action to address Agri Star's alleged violations of the Clean Water Act, nor have they imposed any administrative penalties. Under the Clean Water Act, facilities such as the one in Postville must self-monitor and self-report pollution discharges. According to the plaintiffs, Agri Star's reports indicate that over a period of years, there have been significant and repeated instances of the Postville plant exceeding pollution limits in waterways adjacent to the facility. The organization also alleges Agri Star has failed to conduct sampling, and report sampling results, for a wide range of pollutants. The lawsuit seeks an injunction to prevent continued violations, as well as an order compelling Agri Star to pay civil penalties of up to $68,445 per day for each violation of the Clean Water Act. 'The Yellow River has traditionally been one of Iowa's recreational crown jewels – clean water where citizens can fish, hike, canoe and kayak,' said Chris Jones, president of Driftless Water Defenders. 'The Iowa Code describes our waters as the 'wealth' of the people. If governmental agencies won't enforce our clean water laws, citizens must step in to do that.' Last year, Investigate Midwest reported that in the previous two decades, the city of Postville, one of the poorest cities in Iowa, was the site of five EPA enforcement actions – the highest number in Iowa. Of those five cases, four were linked to Agri Star, according to Investigate Midwest's analysis. In March 2024, officials in Postville were forced to shut down the city's water treatment facility for two days to prevent polluted water from the Agri Star plant entering the public water supply. The plant had reportedly discharged more than 250,000 gallons of untreated food-processing waste — including blood and chemicals — into the city-operated wastewater system, Investigate Midwest reported. Agri Star was fined $2,000. Agri Star is a privately owned company, but estimates of its annual revenue range from $35 million to $108 million. Company officials did not respond Wednesday to calls from the Iowa Capital Dispatch. Earlier this year, Driftless Water Defenders announced its plans to appeal a DNR decision to renew the permit for a 10,000-head cattle operation in Clayton County.
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Residents of small Iowa town take legal action against employer: 'Too often allowed to violate the law'
A group known for defending groundwater in Iowa has announced its intentions to file a federal lawsuit against a large meatpacking facility for its repeated wastewater pollution violations. Agri Star Meat & Poultry packages kosher beef, chicken, and turkey, producing more than 50 million pounds each of cattle and poultry annually, according to The Gazette. In the process of packaging meat, the company reportedly discharges up to a million gallons each day into the nearby creek that flows into the Yellow River. Do you worry about the quality of the air inside your home? Yes — often Yes — but only sometimes Only when it's bad outside No — I never do Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. The Driftless Water Defenders cite more than 50 violations made by Agri Star, including excessive pollution of ammonia, copper, chloride, suspended waste particles, and others. A major incident in March 2024 involved a blockage of Agri Star's wastewater system that illegally redirected about 250,000 gallons of meat processing wastewater into a city's sewer system. Egan Guerrero, an Agri Star supervisor, alleged that "the blockage was a result of 'vandalism and sabotage.'" By bringing forward a lawsuit, the Driftless Water Defenders aim to hold the company accountable for water pollution, an environmental disadvantage responsible for water scarcity and contamination of 2.2 billion people globally. Meanwhile, in the United States alone, 1.1 million people are affected per year. "This potential citizen suit is an example of one of the key enforcement mechanisms of the (Clean Water) Act, ensuring that polluting industries are held accountable for violations of their permits," as Dan Snyder, a Public Justice attorney, commented for The Gazette. "There are many examples of these types of cases across the United States, for polluters are too often allowed to violate the law without meaningful enforcement." While the Agri Star declined to comment for The Gazette, it has been warned about the federal lawsuit that is set to be made in February. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires a 60-day notification period before the suit is filed, which allows time for the violator to make the necessary changes or have the EPA enforce compliance. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
