The DNR is accepting public comments on the draft 2008 Impaired Waters
List through February 5th and on the Antidegradation Policy until
January 29th.

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: IOWATER Informational Email
Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2008 08:11:09 -0600
From: Gautsch, Jackie [DNR] <Jackie.Gautsch@...>


Dear IOWATER Volunteers,

Below are two opportunities that may interest you:

1. DNR Seeks Public Comment on Impaired Waters List
> http://wqm.igsb.uiowa.edu/WQA/303d.html

2. DNR Seeks Public Comment on Antidegradation Policy and Implementation
Rule
> www.iowadnr.gov/water/standards/antidegradation.html (And "DNR seeking public
comment on new antidegradation rules" -
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/squawcreek/message/845)

* *

*DNR Seeks Public Comment on Impaired Waters List*

The DNR is asking Iowans to comment on the draft 2008 Iowa impaired
waters list, which identifies 445 streams, rivers and lakes. The list
was presented to the DNR’s Environmental Protection Commission Dec. 9.

Nearly 190 new water bodies have been added since the 2006 list was
prepared. The impaired waters list names 445 water bodies in need of a
water quality improvement plan. An additional 96 waterbodies remain
impaired, but are not included on the impaired waters list because they
have a completed improvement plan or a plan is not needed. That makes
for a total of 541 impaired waters in Iowa.

The higher number on the 2008 list indicates an increase in water and
biological monitoring, not necessarily an increase in pollution,
according to John Olson, the DNR’s specialist on water quality assessments.

The top three reasons Iowa streams are impaired are bacteria, biological
factors and fish kills. In lakes, algae, turbidity (cloudy water) and
bacteria top the list, although lakes and streams may be impaired for
more than one cause. Biological impairments are a major cause of
impairment in streams, but are difficult to trace to a specific cause.

Changes to Iowa’s water quality standards have also put new waters on
the 2008 list, Olson added. The changes in standards presume that all
perennial streams and rivers in the state should be protected for
primary contact recreation (like swimming) unless assessments show they
would not support that use.

The DNR identifies and develops the impaired waters list for waters that
do not fully meet state water quality standards. The list must be
updated every two years and submitted to the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency to meet requirements of the Clean Water Act. The list
is one category of a larger “integrated water quality report” that is
designed to meet Clean Water Act requirements for state water quality
assessment and listing.

The DNR will accept comments on the list through Feb. 5. Comments can be
submitted to John Olson, DNR, 502 East Ninth St., Des Moines, Iowa
50319. Or, comments can be e-mailed to John.Olson@....

The draft list and supporting materials are available on the DNR Web
site at http://wqm.igsb.uiowa.edu/WQA/303d.html. Hard copies are
available by contacting Olson at (515) 281-8905.

The DNR will consider the comments, make necessary revisions to the
draft list and submit the revised list to the U.S. EPA for approval.

* *

*DNR Seeks Public Comment on Antidegradation Policy and Implementation Rule*

The DNR is seeking public comments on proposed water quality standard
rules to implement an antidegradation policy in Iowa.

The antidegradation policy, required by Iowa law, would set minimum
requirements for the state to conserve, maintain and protect water
quality and existing uses of Iowa’s waterbodies.

Antidegradation policy is one of the three components of water quality
standards (i.e. designated uses, water quality criteria to protect those
uses, and antidegradation policy). The DNR is proposing a four-tiered
approach, including creating a guidance document that establishes
procedures for implementing the antidegradation policy.

People can comment orally or in writing on the proposed rules at nine
public hearings, listed alphabetically by city:

* /Atlantic// - /Dec. 17, 6:00 p.m., Atlantic Municipal Utilities
Conference Room, 15 W. Third St.//
* /Clear// Lake// - /Dec. 18, 1:00 p.m., Clear Lake Community
Meeting Room, 15 N. Sixth St.//
* /Davenport// - /Jan. 15, 1:00 p.m., Davenport Public Library, Film
Room, 321 Main St.//
* /Manchester// - /Jan. 14, 10:00 a.m., Manchester Public Library at
304 Franklin St.//
* /Milford// - /Jan. 8, 7:00 p.m., Iowa Lakeside Laboratory, Waitt
Building, 1838 Highway 86//
* /Storm// Lake - /Dec. 17, 10:00 a.m., Storm Lake Public Library,
609 Cayuga St.//
* /Washington// - /Dec. 15, 10:00 a.m., Washington Public Library,
120 E. Main St.//
* /Waukon - /Jan. 14, 6:00 p.m., Northeast Iowa Community College -
Waukon, Room 115, 1220 Third Ave., Suite 102//

The changes being proposed include the following:

* Incorporate by reference the document entitled “Iowa
Antidegradation Implementation Procedure,” which proposes an
approach to be followed in assessing and minimizing degradation of
Iowa’s surface waters
* Update antidegradation policy language with four tier approach
* Remove High Quality (Class HQ) and High Quality Resource (Class
HQR) designated uses and add several waters to the newly proposed
Outstanding Iowa Water (OIW) category.

People can also submit written comments by sending them to Adam
Schnieders, Iowa DNR, 502 East 9th St., Des Moines, IA 50319, or by
e-mail to adam.schnieders@.... The DNR will accept comments
until January 29, 2009. For more information, view the complete rule
proposal at www.iowadnr.gov/water/standards/antidegradation.html or
contact Schnieders by e-mail or at (515) 281-7409.


Jacklyn Gautsch
Iowa DNR Natural Resource Biologist
109 Trowbridge Hall
Iowa City, IA 52242
(319) 335-1761
jackie.gautsch@...


Please consider the environment before you print this email.




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