ANKENY – Contracts for solid waste, watershed planning and water monitoring top the agenda for the March 15 meeting of the Environmental Protection Commission in Ankeny.
The meeting will begin at 10 a.m. at the Iowa Laboratory Facility Conference Center, 2240 S. Ankeny Blvd., Ankeny. Public comments will follow a presentation on a public water quality survey. Or, people may submit written comments to the commission by mail or email to Jerah Sheets, Jerah.Sheets@dnr.iowa.gov before the meeting.
Also on the agenda, commissioners will review the air quality budget for the next fiscal year, which starts in July. New this year -- after extensive stakeholder input -- DNR is collecting fees to process construction and operating permits, and support asbestos programs. The fees are expected to defray funding shortfalls as revenues based on pollutant emissions have steadily decreased. The permitting program ensures facilities can meet federal air quality standards to protect public health.
Commissioners will be asked to approve going forward with changes in the animal feeding operations rule, which would incorporate recent legislation. The proposed rule would also allow marketing solids from open feedlots as bulk dry animal nutrients, better define public use areas, update the lakes list and clarify how to measure separation distances and landowner waivers of separation distances.
In addition, at 1 p.m. the EPC will rule on a referral of Sunrise Farms, Inc., to the attorney general’s office for violations of wastewater and animal feeding operations rules.
At 2 p.m. the University of Iowa will offer commissioners a tour of the state hygienic laboratory. The tour is open to the public.
The complete agenda follows:
- Approval of Minutes
- Monthly Reports
- UNI Public WQ Survey Results
- Public Participation
- Director’s Remarks
- Contract with the University of Iowa for DNR State Hygienic Laboratory TMDL Contract
- Final Rule – Wastewater Cleanup Rule, 567 IAC Chapters 60, 62, 63, 64, and 67
- Notice of Intended Action – Chapter 65 – Proposed Rule Amendments for Animal Feeding Operations
- Air Quality - Budget Review
- Referrals to the Attorney General - Sunrise Farms, Inc. (Osceola County) – Wastewater / Animal Feeding Operations
- Amendment to Contract with Iowa State University for 2014-2016 Ambient Lake Monitoring
- General Discussion
- Items for Next Month’s Meeting
- Solid Waste Alternatives Program – Contract Recommendation
- Solid Waste Environmental Management Systems Grant Award Recommendations
- Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund – FY 2016 Intended Use Plans, Fourth Quarter Updates
- Contract with East Central Iowa Council of Governments for Clear Creek Watershed Management Authority Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan
- Joint funding agreement with the U.S. Department of the Interior Geological Survey for Water Resources Investigation
o April 18 – EPC Educational Tour, Iowa County
o April 19 – EPC Business Meeting, Iowa County
o May 17 – EPC Business Meeting, Windsor Heights
For agenda details, see: 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.