DNR News Releases

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DNR News Releases

DNR to host open house to discuss Wolf Hollow Wildlife Area forest wildlife stewardship plan

• 1/13/2022 2:54:00 PM
• View Count 1766

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold a public open house on March 8, at 6 p.m., at Pin Oak Lodge, 45996 State Hwy. 14, south of Chariton, to discuss the history of the Wolf Hollow Wildlife Area and the proposed forest wildlife stewardship plan developed specifically for the area.

Air Quality permits under review, January 13, 2022

• 1/13/2022 2:33:00 PM
• View Count 1633

DES MOINES – The DNR Air Quality Bureau has the following draft permits up for review. The permits help protect Iowans’ health and air quality.

DNR Enforcement Actions, published 1/13/2022

• 1/13/2022 2:31:00 PM
• View Count 1723

DES MOINES – DNR staff work with individuals, businesses and communities to help them protect our natural resources by complying with state and federal laws.

Dry year ends on a wet note - 2021 Water Summary Update

• 1/13/2022 2:29:00 PM
• View Count 1180

DES MOINES — Last year was the second dry year in a row for Iowa. Over the previous 24 months parts of central and west central Iowa received a foot less than normal moisture.

Counties - Sign up to evaluate animal confinement sites

• 1/13/2022 2:26:00 PM
• View Count 2057

DES MOINES - Counties interested in evaluating construction permits for proposed animal feeding facilities must adopt and submit a construction evaluation resolution by the end of January.

Iowa is hosting a large population of bald eagles this winter

• 1/11/2022 2:29:00 PM
• View Count 4134

Iowa is in the middle of its annual bald eagle population survey and although the numbers are still coming in, all indications point to 2022 being a really good year for eagles wintering in Iowa.

Updates Proposed to Construction Permit Framework

• 1/10/2022 4:05:00 PM
• View Count 1408

The DNR Air Quality Bureau Construction Permit section is proposing to make several updates to the permit framework.  The framework is the starting point for each permit and outlines the obligations and rights of the owner and operator.

Comment Opportunity: Proposed Rule Changes for Air Electronic Submittal

• 1/10/2022 4:00:00 PM
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The Environmental Protection Commission recently approved a proposed air quality rulemaking for formal public comment.

Water and wastewater rules on Environmental Protection Commission agenda

• 1/6/2022 11:43:00 AM
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DES MOINES—Commissioners will be asked to approve four final rules at the Jan. 19 meeting of the Environmental Protection Commission. 

Air Quality permits under review for Jan. 6

• 1/6/2022 11:42:00 AM
• View Count 1233

DES MOINES – The DNR Air Quality Bureau has the following draft permits up for review. The permits help protect Iowans’ health and air quality. DNR’s permitting staff review each permit application to ensure facilities comply with state and federal air quality requirements.

DNR enforcement actions for Jan. 6

• 1/6/2022 11:41:00 AM
• View Count 1534

DES MOINES – DNR staff work with individuals, businesses and communities to help them protect our natural resources by complying with state and federal laws. This approach is very effective. In the few cases where compliance cannot be achieved, the DNR issues enforcement actions.

Winter aeration system in use at three Northwest Iowa lakes

• 1/4/2022 12:54:00 PM
• View Count 2060

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has turned on the winter aeration systems at Center Lake and Silver Lake in Dickinson County, and Ingham Lake in Emmet County.

Stay safe as Iowa lakes freeze over

• 1/4/2022 12:48:00 PM
• View Count 4631

The recent blast of arctic air is growing ice on lakes and ponds over much of Iowa. Anglers are ready to get out for the popular early ice fishing season

DNR enforcement actions for Dec. 29

• 12/29/2021 2:49:00 PM
• View Count 1829

DES MOINES – DNR staff work with individuals, businesses and communities to help them protect our natural resources by complying with state and federal laws. This approach is very effective. In the few cases where compliance cannot be achieved, the DNR issues enforcement actions.

Air Quality permits under review for Dec. 29

• 12/29/2021 2:47:00 PM
• View Count 1766

DES MOINES – The DNR Air Quality Bureau has the following draft permits up for review. The permits help protect Iowans’ health and air quality. DNR’s permitting staff review each permit application to ensure facilities comply with state and federal air quality requirements.

Outdoor Notes

• 12/28/2021 1:15:00 PM
• View Count 1918

Hunting seasons will begin closing in early January. Pheasant, archery turkey and deer seasons, and late muzzleloader deer season close on Jan. 10.

Summer seasonal positions open at fisheries offices

• 12/28/2021 1:13:00 PM
• View Count 1982

The Iowa DNR Fisheries Bureau has openings for seasonal fisheries aides for the summer 2022 season at fisheries offices across Iowa.

Iowa boat registrations expire April 30

• 12/28/2021 1:11:00 PM
• View Count 3026

2022 is a boat registration year and Iowans will be registering about 215,000 boats before April 30.

Three men facing dozens of deer, turkey poaching charges in Des Moines County after lengthy investigations

• 12/28/2021 1:07:00 PM
• View Count 3455

State conservation officers have charged three men with multiple hunting violations in Des Moines County from two separate investigations for illegal activity that allegedly occurred this fall.

Summer seasonal positions open in state parks, forests and preserves

• 12/21/2021 3:56:00 PM
• View Count 3191

The DNR Parks, Forests and Preserves Bureau has openings for recreational aides and seasonal patrol officers for the summer 2022 season across the state park system.

Trout survey prize winners announced

• 12/21/2021 3:54:00 PM
• View Count 2224

BOONE - The recently completed 2021 Iowa Trout Angler Survey received more than 4,100 responses, from which 10 names were drawn for prizes.

Fish Iowa! and First Catch Center offer webinar on ice fishing basics

• 12/21/2021 3:51:00 PM
• View Count 2362

DES MOINES - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is offering a free ice fishing basics webinar on Jan. 12, from 6 - 7 p.m., via Zoom, for those who have little to no ice fishing experience and would like to try it.

The 2021-22 Christmas Bird Count is underway

• 12/21/2021 3:48:00 PM
• View Count 2099

The 122nd annual Christmas Bird Count, coordinated by the Audubon Society, is being held between Dec. 14 and Jan. 5.

Reminder: Joint Fee Advisory Group Meeting on January 5, 2022

• 12/21/2021 3:43:00 PM
• View Count 1760

Please join us on January 5, 2022, to review and provide comment on the draft Air Quality Bureau budget for the next state fiscal year (July 2022 - June 2023)

Plan now for upcoming MAC training

• 12/21/2021 3:40:00 PM
• View Count 1966

Manure applicator training begins in January for commercial and confinement site applicators.

Counties - prepare for signup to evaluate animal confinement sites

• 12/21/2021 3:38:00 PM
• View Count 2241

DNR reminded the Iowa State Association of Counties in early December that counties interested in evaluating construction permits for proposed animal feeding facilities must adopt a construction evaluation resolution.

Winter land application limits kick in today

• 12/21/2021 3:36:00 PM
• View Count 1068

Dry conditions and warm weather provided an early harvest and manure application season. But here are a few reminders, if winter application is still necessary.

Availability of Air Quality Help Desk Assistance During the Holidays

• 12/20/2021 4:10:00 PM
• View Count 1281

User assistance with the Iowa Environmental Application System for Air (EASY Air), the State & Local Emissions Inventory System (SLEIS) and the online Asbestos Notification System will not be available beginning Thursday, Dec. 23 through Friday, Dec. 24.

January antlerless deer season to be held in five Iowa counties

• 12/20/2021 9:16:00 AM
• View Count 12067

Iowa hunters have the opportunity to hunt deer in Allamakee, Appanoose, Decatur, Wayne and Winneshiek counties beginning Jan. 11, 2022, after the threshold was met to hold the January antlerless season.

Solid waste and water projects lead off Environmental Protection Commission meeting

• 12/16/2021 4:28:00 PM
• View Count 1836

DES MOINES—A presentation on improving solid waste management will kick off the Environmental Protection Commission’s Dec. 21 meeting. 

Caution urged as Iowans cleanup damaged trees

• 12/16/2021 9:16:00 AM
• View Count 4225

State forestry experts are encouraging Iowans to proceed with caution as they begin cleaning up the tree damage from Wednesday’s storm.

Snowy Owls In Iowa

• 12/14/2021 3:34:00 PM
• View Count 5504

Snowy Owls breed in the open landscapes of the Arctic Tundra. During summers with abundant food (particularly lemmings), many young are produced, and the following winter, many of those young owls disperse south into the US to look for winter prey.

Hawkeye Wildlife Area as refuge reopens to the public Dec. 17

• 12/14/2021 2:58:00 PM
• View Count 1931

The 1,800-acre refuge section of Hawkeye Wildlife Area in Johnson County will reopen for public use on Dec. 17, for trapping and hunting game species, including hunting for geese.

First Day Hikes at Iowa State Parks: Join the Fun with the Parks Passport and Guided Hikes

• 12/14/2021 2:57:00 PM
• View Count 1855

DES MOINES – So what are you doing over New Year’s?

Teaching outdoor skills courses scheduled this spring and summer

• 12/14/2021 2:54:00 PM
• View Count 1721

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is sponsoring six courses on how to teach outdoor skills for K–12 teachers, naturalists and other educators this spring and summer.

DNR urban wood playhouse on display at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden

• 12/14/2021 2:52:00 PM
• View Count 1931

A children’s playhouse constructed almost entirely from urban lumber is on display at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. 

Iowa’s deer harvest on similar track as 2020

• 12/14/2021 2:50:00 PM
• View Count 4150

Iowa’s hunters reported harvesting around 75,000 deer heading in to the final weekend of Iowa’s shotgun deer season, which is similar to the 2020 deer harvest at the same point.

Water Summary Update: Despite dry November, drought conditions improve and stabilize

• 12/9/2021 1:17:00 PM
• View Count 1679

DES MOINES — After a very wet October, November was drier than normal, but conditions improved over the month. As the state enters winter, conditions have stabilized, according to the most recent Water Summary Update.  

DNR enforcement actions for Dec. 9

• 12/9/2021 1:15:00 PM
• View Count 1673

DES MOINES – DNR staff work with individuals, businesses and communities to help them protect our natural resources by complying with state and federal laws. This approach is very effective. In the few cases where compliance cannot be achieved, the DNR issues enforcement actions. The

Air Quality permits under review for Dec. 9

• 12/9/2021 1:12:00 PM
• View Count 1618

DES MOINES – The DNR Air Quality Bureau has the following draft permits up for review. The permits help protect Iowans’ health and air quality. DNR’s permitting staff review each permit application to ensure facilities comply with state and federal air quality requirements.

2022 hunting, fishing license on sale Dec. 15; duck, goose and dove hunters now required to register with HIP

• 12/8/2021 2:20:00 PM
• View Count 7701

Resident hunting, fishing and other licenses for 2022 are available beginning Dec. 15. The menu of license options includes the popular Outdoor Combo annual resident hunting/fishing/habitat combo license for $55; the Angler’s Special three-year fishing license for $62; and the Hunter’s Special three-year hunting license with habitat included for $101.

Lake Restoration Program draft 2021 Report and 2022 Plan available for public comment

• 12/8/2021 8:46:00 AM
• View Count 2837

DES MOINES - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Lake Restoration Program is accepting comments on the newly released draft 2021 Lake Restoration Report and 2022 Plan.

2021 DNR Volunteer Fire Assistance Grants awarded to rural fire departments

• 12/7/2021 2:14:00 PM
• View Count 2275

More than $289,000 in 50 percent cost-share grants have recently been awarded to 115 of Iowa’s rural fire departments to aid their efforts in protecting Iowan’s and their property from wildfires.  The grants offer valuable funding assistance for wildfire suppression, personal protective and communications equipment.

Derecho Community Forestry Grant Program thanks partners for support to help communities recover from the derecho

• 12/7/2021 1:55:00 PM
• View Count 2096

The Iowa Legislature appropriated $250,000 of state infrastructure funds to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for the community-based tree-planting program to help recover from the derecho.

Missouri and Big Sioux River paddlefish license on sale Dec. 15

• 12/7/2021 1:52:00 PM
• View Count 2451

Iowa anglers can buy the Missouri and Big Sioux River paddlefish license and tags starting Dec. 15 through Jan. 7.

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