What's New
As the legislative session begins, Environment Iowa is part of a
growing coalition of environmental, farmer and citizen groups that are
working to protect our air and water from factory farms. We have been
meeting with key policymakers in the state legislature and the
Department of Natural Resources to improve Iowa’s statewide
environmental regulations and to give counties decision-making
authority over where new factory farms are built.
According to
our latest analysis, Iowa's existing regulations are failing to protect
our air, water, and nearby communities from industrial livestock
confinements. Click here for the full report.
Brief Summary
Iowa’s lakes, streams, and rivers are an important part of our quality
of life. These waters, and the parks and preserves that often surround
them, are unique places to fish, hunt, swim, boat and camp—activities
that depend on clean water and fresh air. Indeed, every waterway in
Iowa should be clean enough for swimming, fishing, and as a source of
drinking water.
The recent explosion in the livestock industry threatens our waterways.
New factory farms are being proposed—and built—far too close to Iowa’s
lakes, rivers, and parks. Factory farms jeopardize our waterways in
several ways. Leaks and spills from manure lagoons cause fish kills.
Spreading manure near waterways can cause chronic nutrient pollution
problems and introduce fecal coliform bacteria. Indeed, the U.S. EPA
has identified intensive animal agriculture as a top 10 polluter of
Iowa’s impaired waterways.
Despite these threats, state regulations do not fully protect our
waterways and our air from factory farm pollution. In addition, the
local authorities who know their environment best have no real say in
where new factory farms are located.
To protect our air and water from factory farms, Environment Iowa is
calling on the legislature to improve Iowa’s statewide environmental
regulations and to allow counties to control where new factory farms
are built.
