CARROLL—The Environmental Protection Commission’s focus is on solutions to waste disposal during the pre-meeting tour April 15 in Carroll County.
On April 15, commissioners will tour Carroll County, viewing success of derelict building projects, new approaches to solid waste projects and management of manufacturing wastewater. The tour is open to the public, but interested people must register by April 11. To join the tour, register with Jerah Sheets at Jerah.Sheets@dnr.iowa.gov or by calling 515-313-8909.
The regular EPC business meeting begins at 10 a.m., April 16, in the Wapiti Room of the Carroll County Conservation Board Education Center, 22676 Swan Lake Trail, Carroll.
Up for commissioners’ approval is a contract to analyze water samples for indicator bacteria. If awarded, the University of Iowa’s State Hygienic Laboratory will provide weekly data on bacteria concentrations in samples from up to 73 state park and other public swimming areas. Commissioners will be asked to approve designating the Marshall County solid waste planning area as an environmental management system. If approved, the agency can use an alternative approach to meeting comprehensive planning requirements.
In other action, DNR will ask the EPC to approve going forward with a rule change to renew General Permit 6 for wastewater permits, including a revision to increase protection of outstanding Iowa waters.
Finally, commissioners will be asked to approve a final rule which incorporates multiple changes in Iowa Code, including transferring the State Geologist and Iowa Geological Survey to the University of Iowa.
There is no scheduled public participation. Written comments may be submitted up to one day before the meeting to Jerah Sheets at Jerah.Sheets@dnr.iowa.gov or to DNR, 502 E. Ninth St., Des Moines, IA 50319.
The complete agenda is available at www.iowadnr.gov/About-DNR/Boards-Commissionsand follows:
- Approval of Agenda
- Approval of the Minutes
- Monthly Reports
- Acting Director’s Remarks
- Solid Waste Environmental Management Systems Program 2019 Applicant Designation
- Notice of Intended Action – Chapter 64: “Wastewater Construction and Operation Permits,” to include Well Construction and Well Service Wastewater Discharges
- Contract with the University of Iowa for Beach Monitoring 2019
- Final Rule – Chapter 50, “Scope of Division—Definitions—Forms—Rules of Practice,” Chapter 51, “Water Permit or Registration—When Required,” Chapter 52, “Criteria and Conditions for Authorizing Withdrawal, Diversion and Storage of Water,” Chapter 53, “Protected Water Sources—Purposes—Designation Procedures—Information in Withdrawal Applications—Limitations—List of Protected Sources,” Chapter 65, “Animal Feeding Operations,” Chapter 72, “Criteria for Approval,” Chapter 82, “Well Contractor Certification,” and Chapter 137, “Iowa Land Recycling Program and Response Action Standards” Amendments
- General Discussion
- Items for Next Month’s Meeting
- May 21 – EPC Business Meeting – Des Moines
- June 18– EPC Business Meeting – Des Moines
Commissioners include: Ralph Lents, Menlo, chair; Joe Riding, Altoona, vice chair; Rebecca Guinn, Bettendorf, Secretary; Mary Boote, Des Moines; Nancy Couser, Nevada; Lisa Gochenour, Logan; Howard Hill, Cambridge; Harold Hommes, Windsor Heights; and Bob Sinclair, Sigourney. Bruce Trautman is the acting director of the DNR.
Any person attending the public meeting who has special requirements such as those related to mobility or hearing impairments should contact the DNR or ADA Coordinator at 515-725-8200, Relay Iowa TTY Service 800-735-7942, or Webmaster@dnr.iowa.gov, and advise of specific needs.