AMES—The Environmental Protection Commission will hear from Iowa State University’s sustainability office, and then tour the Ames waste collection facility following the March 21 business meeting.
The meeting begins at 10 a.m. in the Ames Public Library, Farwell Brown Auditorium, 515 Douglas Avenue, Ames. The meeting and the afternoon tour are open to the public. Public comment starts after the monthly reports. People may also submit written comments to the commission by mail or email to Jerah Sheets, Jerah.Sheets@dnr.iowa.gov, before the meeting.
At the top of the agenda, Merry Rankin from ISU will discuss how food, landscape and animal wastes are collected and composted at ISU. The compost goes back into the landscape to improve soil structure and fertility.
Commissioners will be asked to approve several contracts for water monitoring and solid waste projects. An update on the budget for air quality programs will also be discussed.
At 2 p.m., the commission will tour the AO Chantland Resources Recovery System, 110 Center Ave in Ames. The facility generates energy by burning residents’ wastes.
The complete agenda follows:
· Approval of Agenda
· Approval of Minutes
· Monthly Reports
· Public Participation
· Director’s Remarks
· ISU Office of Sustainability
· Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund - Fourth Quarter Updates to the FY 2017 Intended Use Plans
· Contract with the University of Iowa for DNR SHL TMDL Contract
· Solid Waste Alternatives Program – Contract Recommendation
· Contract with Iowa State University for Shallow Lake Monitoring Support
· Air Quality - Budget Review
· Contract for Source Water Protection Planning
· General Discussion
o Frequency of Monthly Reports
· Items for Next Month’s Meeting
o April 18, 2017 – EPC Business Meeting – Windsor Heights
o May 22, 2017 – EPC Education Tour – Clayton County
o May 23, 2017 – EPC Business Meeting – Clayton County
Find agenda details at www.iowadnr.gov/epc.
Commissioners include Mary Boote, Des Moines, chair; Chad Ingels, Randalia, vice chair; Cindy Greiman, Garner, secretary; Nancy Couser, Nevada; Bob Sinclair, Sigourney; Gene Ver Steeg, Inwood; LaQuanda Hoskins, Bettendorf; Ralph Lents, Menlo; and Joe Riding, Altoona. Chuck Gipp is the director of the DNR.