Updates on the state nutrient strategy, and contracts for environmental monitoring and regulatory assistance will be on the June 19 agenda for the Environmental Protection Commission meeting in Windsor Heights.
At 2 p.m., Adam Schnieders from DNR, Dean Lemke from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and Dr. Tom Isenhart from Iowa State University will discuss work in progress on Iowa’s nutrient strategy.
In other business, commissioners will be asked to approve the intended use plan for the state revolving fund (SRF), which provides low interest loans for drinking water, wastewater, storm water and nonpoint source water quality projects. Included in the plan is a proposal for a small or emergency loan fund to be used for water and wastewater emergencies.
Another SRF proposal would allow utilities to pay part of the interest rate into a watershed restoration project instead of paying it back into the loan fund. The DNR is seeking approval of a pilot watershed project in Dubuque. The city is reopening Bee Branch Creek, once buried underground in storm sewers. As the city repays state revolving fund loans with a reduced interest fee, some of the interest would fund pervious pavement in downtown alleys, allowing rainwater to infiltrate the soil, instead of flooding the newly restored creek.
Some other contracts up for the commission’s approval include funding for ambient air quality monitoring, small business assistance on regulations, water monitoring, and the Iowa Waste Exchange, which matches owners of used and unwanted items with people who can recycle or add value to the items.
The regular meeting will begin at 10 a.m. at the DNR Air Quality Building, 7900 Hickman Road. Public participation is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Appointments are scheduled for 1:00 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. for referrals to the Attorney General.
The complete agenda follows:
Find more information on the EPC agenda items at www.iowadnr.gov/epc/index.html.
The members of the commission are David Petty, Eldora, Chair; John Glenn, Centerville, Vice-Chair; Mary Botte, Des Moines, Secretary; Dee Bruemmer, Davenport; Nancy Couser, Nevada; Cindy Greiman, Garner; Delores Mertz, Ottosen; Brent Rastetter, Ames; Max Smith, Knoxville; and Marty Stimson, Cedar Rapids. The director of the DNR is Chuck Gipp.