Air Quality permits under review 3/18/2021 12:10:00 PM View Count 1430 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. We encourage public comments on draft permits, providing help on how to make effective comments. Submit written comments to the assigned permit writer before 4:30 p.m. on the last day of the comment period. DNR considers public comments befor...
Iowa companies team with Pollution Prevention intern program to boost profits, improve environmental performance 3/18/2021 12:07:00 PM View Count 1913 DES MOINES – Seven businesses will team with DNR’s Pollution Prevention (P2) Intern Program this summer to increase efficiency of a system or process and reduce associated operating costs.
Big Hollow Lake Water Quality Improvement Plan available online 3/18/2021 12:04:00 PM View Count 2364 MEDIAPOLIS – Iowans interested in the results of a DNR study to improve water quality in Big Hollow Lake in Des Moines County can view a presentation on the Iowa DNR’s YouTube channel.
Viking Lake still recovering from 2019 drawdown 3/16/2021 1:54:00 PM View Count 4111 The water level at Viking Lake was lowered eight feet during the summer of 2019 to improve the fish population. Now a year and a half later, the lake’s water level has yet to return to normal levels.
Trout stocking in northeast Iowa streams starts March 29 3/16/2021 1:51:00 PM View Count 13938 The popular trout stream stocking season starts on March 29. Find a list of stocked trout streams on the DNR trout stream map or the Iowa trout streams webpage. All trout stream stockings are weather dependent and will be unannounced due to COVID-19 precautions.
Ice-out channel catfish are biting 3/16/2021 1:50:00 PM View Count 4186 Channel catfish move close to shore and are eager to bite in many lakes and the large reservoirs across Iowa just after the ice is gone. The bite starts sooner in southern Iowa impoundments since they lose ice a week or two before northeast Iowa natural lakes.
Harsh winter conditions being felt on some Iowa lakes 3/16/2021 1:44:00 PM View Count 5341 The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has received numerous reports of dead fish in lakes and ponds across Iowa as the ice cover disappears for another year.
Iowa DNR to begin annual spring burning 3/15/2021 2:36:00 PM View Count 1706 Lake View - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be conducting prescribed burns this spring on wildlife management areas managed by the Iowa DNR’s Black Hawk Wildlife Unit and waterfowl production areas managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Sac, Calhoun, Cherokee, Crawford and Pocahontas counties.
Annual state sale moved to Iowa State Fairgrounds, still set for April 10, 2021 3/15/2021 2:27:00 PM View Count 18740 DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has moved the state’s annual spring auction to the Jacobson Exhibition Center on the Iowa State Fairgrounds, in Des Moines. The auction is scheduled for 9 a.m. on April 10. Doors open at 8 a.m.
Water Summary Update: February 2021 the eighth coldest on record in Iowa 3/11/2021 3:06:00 PM View Count 2367 DES MOINES — Last month’s polar vortex led to the eighth coldest February in Iowa on record while also tallying below-average precipitation, according to the latest Water Summary Update.
Nominate conservation leaders in your community for the 2021 Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award 3/11/2021 3:04:00 PM View Count 2066 DES MOINES – Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and Department of Natural Resources Director Kayla Lyon invite Iowans to nominate individuals or families in their communities for the 2021 Farm Environmental Leader Award. Nominations will be accepted until Monday, May 3, 2021, to be considered for the 2021 awards ceremony held at the Iowa State Fair.
DNR accepting input on Chapter 61 water quality rulemaking 3/11/2021 3:02:00 PM View Count 1742 DES MOINES -- The Environmental Protection Commission is proposing to amend Chapter 61 to streamline the process by which the Iowa Department of Natural Resources certifies that each United States Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) nationwide or regional Federal Water Pollution Control Act Section 404 permit (Corps’ nationwide or regional permit) meets Iowa’s water quality standards.
DNR enforcement actions 3/11/2021 3:00:00 PM View Count 1634 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 3/11/2021 2:59:00 PM View Count 1439 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 investigates complaints on livestock disposal in western Iowa 3/10/2021 4:11:00 PM View Count 2565 NEOLA—In an investigation Monday, DNR staff found improper animal disposal and stockpiled paunch manure, along with manure runoff entering Keg Creek, in Pottawattamie County.
Invasive zebra mussels confirmed in aquarium product sold in Iowa 3/9/2021 12:53:00 PM View Count 3335 The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has confirmed that a popular aquarium product sold at some aquarium supply stores and pet stores in Iowa may contain zebra mussels, a highly invasive species that can cause severe damage to the food chain and infrastructure if released in lakes and rivers.
Iowa DNR to begin annual spring burning 3/6/2021 1:35:00 PM View Count 1893 Spirit Lake - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources plans to conduct prescribed burns within the selected wildlife complexes in Dickinson, Cherokee, and O’Brien counties between April 1 and May 20 to improve wildlife habitat, control invasive plant species, and maintain native plant communities.
Natural Resource Commission to meet via teleconference on March 11 3/6/2021 1:21:00 PM View Count 1704 DES MOINES, Iowa – The Natural Resource Commission (NRC) of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources will hold its monthly meeting via teleconference and online video at 8:30 a.m., on March 11.
Easter Lake watershed improvement efforts receive national recognition 3/4/2021 3:11:00 PM View Count 2325 DES MOINES -- A project behind a major renovation effort to improve water quality in Easter Lake, located on Des Moines’ south side, has received national recognition.
Contracts up for Environmental Protection Commission’s approval 3/4/2021 3:10:00 PM View Count 1642 DES MOINES—Contracts and awards are up for the Environmental Protection Commission’s approval at the March 16 business meeting.
Input sought on sustainable materials management 3/4/2021 3:08:00 PM View Count 1771 DES MOINES--DNR is gathering input and comment on a vision to conserve natural resources and protect the environment throughout a product’s life. Known as sustainable materials management (SMM), this approach emphasizes waste prevention throughout the lifecycle of manufacturing and distributing products.
DNR enforcement actions 3/4/2021 3:07:00 PM View Count 2239 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 3/4/2021 3:06:00 PM View Count 1375 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.
Ice conditions deteriorating across southern and central Iowa 3/2/2021 2:49:00 PM View Count 3528 After February’s dive into the deep freeze, winter is finally loosening its grip on Iowa and if the current forecast holds, it will soon feel more like late spring than late winter.
Iowa DNR provides seasons review and proposed rule changes video online, accepting public comments 3/2/2021 2:46:00 PM View Count 2465 The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has posted online the presentation portion of its Feb. 23 public meeting where staff reviewed the recently completed hunting and trapping seasons, and proposed changes to the hunting regulations.
Iowa DNR to begin annual spring burning 3/2/2021 11:02:00 AM View Count 1708 The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be conducting prescribed burns this spring on wildlife management areas managed by the Iowa DNR’s Clear Lake Wildlife Unit in Cerro Gordo, Franklin, Hancock, Winnebago, Worth, and Wright counties.
Air Quality permits under review 2/25/2021 11:21:00 AM View Count 1406 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. We encourage public comments on draft permits, providing help on how to make effective comments. Submit written comments to the assigned permit writer before 4:30 p.m. on the last day of the comment period. DNR considers public comments befor...
DNR enforcement actions 2/25/2021 11:18:00 AM View Count 1663 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 following list summarizes recent enforcement actions. Find the entire, original orders on DNR’s website at www.iowadnr.gov/EnforcementActions
Learn more on updated drought conditions 2/25/2021 11:15:00 AM View Count 1872 DES MOINES—From nearly 20 below to record snow falls to 50-degree-February days, one thing is certain about Iowa’s weather: it’s unpredictable.
DNR to hold online public meeting for Supreme Beef LLC nutrient management plan 2/25/2021 11:11:00 AM View Count 2505 DES MOINES -- The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will host a virtual public meeting on March 1 from 6 to 8 p.m. to gather public comment on the Supreme Beef, LLC Nutrient Management Plan (NMP).
Time to Stop Pruning Oaks 2/24/2021 6:07:00 PM View Count 3901 This recent warm weather has given a taste of spring, which means it’s time to finish pruning oak trees for the year to prevent the spread of oak wilt.
It’s time for a midwinter boat checkup 2/24/2021 10:10:00 AM View Count 2002 A midwinter visit to check on the boat − no matter if stored ashore in a backyard or a marina parking lot − is a wise thing to do. Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) has four tips to ensure there are no surprises at spring commissioning.
When selling Iowa timber, be sure to only use a bonded timber buyer 2/24/2021 10:08:00 AM View Count 2424 Iowa is known as a state full of friendly people. There’s even a term for it – Iowa Nice. And while some business transactions with friendly people can take place with just a handshake, selling timber shouldn’t be among them.
Take time to clean and inspect lifejackets ahead of boating season 2/24/2021 10:07:00 AM View Count 2275 Surprising as it may seem, February is not a busy boating month in Iowa. But it is a good time to clean and inspect important boating equipment – lifejackets – so its ready to go when the snow and ice finally disappear.
Habitat is critical for pheasants during long, hard winters 2/24/2021 10:06:00 AM View Count 3170 Iowa’s run of mild winters is gone, buried under a head-high snowdrift and frozen from weeks of negative temperatures. This return to the extreme has some residents wanting to help the now highly visible pheasants and quail and calling the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) about placing corn and other grains out for the birds to eat.
2021 winter has been tough on deer 2/24/2021 10:02:00 AM View Count 3412 For wildlife, surviving an average Iowa winter is challenging enough. When the winter includes consecutive days where temperatures don’t cross above zero and new snow arrives weekly, survival can become extremely difficult.
21 deer test positive for chronic wasting disease 2/24/2021 9:59:00 AM View Count 4344 The Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ 2020 surveillance of Iowa’s wild deer herd for the presence of chronic wasting disease has yielded 21 new positive deer, and has added two new counties to the list where positive deer have been found.
Manure Applicator Training Wraps Up Feb. 26 2/21/2021 11:38:00 AM View Count 1942 Confinement site applicators have one week to take live training for their manure applicator certification.
MAC Renewals due by March 1 2/21/2021 11:37:00 AM View Count 1907 Certificates expire annually on March 1 for commercial manure applicators. Confinement site certificates are viable for three years ending on Dec. 31, with a two-month grace period for renewals.
89 counties adopt livestock master matrix 2/18/2021 3:40:00 PM View Count 2705 DES MOINES – Once again, 89 of Iowa’s 99 counties notified DNR in January that they plan to evaluate construction permit applications and proposed animal confinement locations by using the master matrix.
DNR to hold online public meeting for Supreme Beef LLC nutrient management plan 2/18/2021 3:37:00 PM View Count 1736 DES MOINES -- The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will host a virtual public meeting on March 1 from 6 to 8 p.m. to gather public comment on the Supreme Beef, LLC Nutrient Management Plan (NMP).
DNR enforcement actions 2/18/2021 3:36:00 PM View Count 1792 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 2/18/2021 3:35:00 PM View Count 1458 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.
Make the most of your winter hike 2/16/2021 4:01:00 PM View Count 4796 Ready to get back on the trails once the cold snap lifts for some fresh air and excellent winter hiking in Iowa State Parks? Our park staff offers these tips to help you make the most of your snowy trek:
DNR enforcement actions 2/11/2021 11:28:00 AM View Count 1958 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.