DNR News Releases

Air quality permits for review, published 10/10/2024

10/10/2024 1:53:00 PM
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The DNR Air Quality Bureau has the following draft permits up for review. The permits help protect Iowans’ health and the air where we live.

DNR enforcement actions, published 10/10/2024

10/10/2024 1:52:00 PM
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DNR staff work with individuals, businesses and communities to help them protect our natural resources by complying with state and federal laws.

DNR to accept public comment for water quality certification of permit

10/10/2024 1:50:00 PM
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The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is accepting public and stakeholder comments regarding the Section 401 Water Quality Certification of the new U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) Regional Permit 49.

Environmental Protection Commission meeting agenda, published 10/10/2024

10/10/2024 1:48:00 PM
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The Environmental Protection Commission (EPC) of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will have their monthly business meeting October 15.

Boil advisory lifted for communities in Adair County

10/10/2024 1:47:00 PM
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The boil advisory issued on Oct. 7 for the communities of Greenfield, Fontanelle and Orient in Adair County has been lifted.

Check docks and equipment for invasive species before storing for the winter

10/8/2024 11:56:00 AM
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The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds lake property owners to check their boat and trailers, and docks and lifts, for aquatic invasive species before storing them for the winter.

Stay safe this harvest season

10/8/2024 11:54:00 AM
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AMES - As fall harvest starts across Iowa, the risk of wildfires in crop fields increases. Iowa is seeing dry conditions for this fall with relative humidity dropping down to dangerous levels for wildfires and ignition sources in the fields. Higher afternoon temperatures are also expected with the National Weather Service issuing both Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches across Iowa.

DNR to host public meeting on hazardous tree removal at Lewis and Clark State Park

10/8/2024 11:52:00 AM
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ONAWA, IA – The Iowa DNR is hosting an open house at the Lewis and Clark State Park Visitor Center on Tuesday, Oct. 23 from 4 to 6 p.m. regarding tree removal and a timber sale at the park. The tree removal plan addresses several hazardous cottonwood trees near the campground. The open house will take place in a come-and-go format with DNR forestry staff on hand to answer questions.

Mine reclamation project to reshape Pella Wildlife Area

10/8/2024 11:51:00 AM
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The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is in the early stages of a two-year project that will completely change the Pella Wildlife Area, thanks to $4 million in funding from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) Mine Reclamation program.

Mix of habitats attract wildlife diversity at Big Marsh Wildlife Area, near Dumont

10/8/2024 11:49:00 AM
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Dumont has a front row view of the 614-acre northern section of Big Marsh Wildlife Area and the pheasants, turkeys, ducks, geese, eagles and more wildlife that call the area home.

Boil advisory issued for communities in Adair County due to pressure loss event

10/7/2024 7:44:00 PM
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A boil advisory has been issued for the communities of Greenfield, Fontanelle and Orient in Adair County following a water main break.

Air quality permits for review, published 10/03/2024

10/3/2024 1:51:00 PM
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The DNR Air Quality Bureau has the following draft permits up for review.

DNR enforcement actions, published 10/03/2024

10/3/2024 1:50:00 PM
View Count 1277

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

Water Summary Update: Water Year ends with a surplus despite very dry September

10/3/2024 1:48:00 PM
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Iowa’s Water Year, which covers Oct. 1, 2023 to Sept. 30, 2024, was the first with above-normal precipitation since 2019, and saw the end of the four year drought in Iowa, according to the latest Water Summary Update.

Natural Resource Commission to meet Oct. 10 in Des Moines

10/1/2024 1:02:00 PM
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Des Moines – The Natural Resource Commission (NRC) of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will meet at 9:30 a.m., Oct. 10, in the Lake Darling Conference Room, 6200 Park Ave., in Des Moines.

Wait until after Oct. 15 to prune oak trees

10/1/2024 1:01:00 PM
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The best way to prevent the spread of oak wilt is to not prune any oak tree during the growing season.

Drivers stay alert for deer movement

10/1/2024 12:59:00 PM
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Drivers are advised to stay alert as they travel Iowa’s roadsides over the coming weeks. Autumn deer behavior, crop harvest and peak travel times for motorists combine to hike the risk of vehicle-deer collisions in Iowa.

Grants available for community tree plantings

10/1/2024 12:58:00 PM
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Through the USDA Forest Service Inflation Reduction Act, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) received funds for tree planting grants for communities.

Fall community trout stocking starts October 18

10/1/2024 12:52:00 PM
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Eighteen lakes across Iowa are gearing up to receive trout this fall. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will release between 1,000 to 2,000 rainbow trout at each location as part of its cool weather trout program that brings trout to areas that cannot support them during the summer months.

Iowa Source Water Ag Collaborative Celebrates Source Water Protection Week

9/26/2024 1:42:00 PM
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The Iowa Source Water Agricultural Collaborative is excited to join the national effort in recognizing Source Water Protection week, which takes place from September 29th through October 5th.

Pella Wildlife Area to be closed for mine reclamation work

9/26/2024 1:39:00 PM
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PELLA, Iowa - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship will begin a project to restore a 165-acre portion of the Pella Wildlife Area that was previously used as a strip mine, starting Oct. 1.

Manure spill near Doon enters tributary of Rock River

9/24/2024 5:24:00 PM
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DOON - The DNR Field Office in Spencer received a complaint overnight about a manure release into a tributary of the Rock River southwest of Doon.

Migratory bird hunters reminded to register for the Harvest Information Program (HIP) every year

9/24/2024 2:44:00 PM
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All hunters who pursue migratory game birds are required to register for Harvest Information Program (HIP).

Lend a hand in a state park at Statewide Volunteer Day on Sept. 28

9/24/2024 2:42:00 PM
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Iowans are invited to lend a hand at the DNR’s eighth annual statewide Volunteer Day on Saturday, Sept. 28. Several parks across the state will be hosting volunteer events to help spruce up trails, buildings and other park amenities.

Fort Atkinson historic fort renovations celebrated at rendezvous

9/24/2024 2:40:00 PM
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FORT ATKINSON – Iowans are invited to celebrate and tour recent renovations at the Fort Atkinson Preserve, which is a nationally significant 1840s military post in northeast Iowa. The celebration will begin at noon on Saturday, Sept. 28 as part of the annual Fort Atkinson Rendezvous.

Low key Tuttle Lake Wildlife Area offers a little bit of everything for the outdoors

9/24/2024 2:35:00 PM
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Tuttle Lake Wildlife Area is an out-of-the-way kind of place known locally for its pheasant hunting and, recently, sneaky good walleye fishing. Its 1,500 plus acres is part lake, part wetland, part prairie, part floodplain, and part small savanna on the Iowa Minnesota border in Emmet County.

Air quality permits for review, published 09/19/2024

9/19/2024 9:24:00 PM
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The DNR Air Quality Bureau has the following draft permits up for review. The permits help protect Iowans’ health and the air where we live.

DNR enforcement actions, published 09/19/2024

9/19/2024 9:23:00 PM
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DNR staff work with individuals, businesses and communities to help them protect our natural resources by complying with state and federal laws.

Public hearings for proposed administrative code changes to be held September 24

9/19/2024 9:21:00 PM
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Public hearings for proposed Iowa Administrative Code changes have been scheduled for Sept. 24. The meetings are open to the public.

DNR investigating wastewater discharge at Cedar River in Nashua

9/19/2024 11:13:00 AM
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The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is investigating a wastewater discharge at the City of Nashua

Iowa DNR & Ducks Unlimited to host an open house on the Spring Run Lily & Pleasant Lake Enhancements Project

9/18/2024 7:31:00 AM
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SPIRIT LAKE - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Ducks Unlimited will host an open house on Sept. 24th, from 3:30-5:30 p.m., at the Maser Monarch Lodge, 22785 Nature Center Road, Okoboji, to discuss the Lily and Pleasant Lake Enhancement Project and 2024 fall construction.

Celebrate SepticSmart Week by doing routine maintenance and identifying harmful products before they go down the drain

9/17/2024 12:40:00 PM
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Fall is a great time for one in four Iowans to take a few simple steps to protect their pocket books, their septic systems and Iowa’s waters.

DNR investigating chlorinated water discharge at McLoud Run

9/17/2024 12:38:00 PM
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The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is investigating a chlorinated water discharge at McLoud Run Trout Stream in Cedar Rapids.

Mix of short and tallgrass prairie increases species diversity at Heritage Hills in Clarke County

9/17/2024 11:34:00 AM
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The Heritage Hills tract in Clarke County is not easy to find, but for anyone willing to put in the effort, the 595-acre public wildlife area offers views of an emerging remnant prairie, sounds of quail whistling on a picturesque southern Iowa landscape.

WQB Public Hearings for Regulatory Analyses to be held on September 24th, 2024

9/13/2024 3:01:00 PM
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The Regulatory Analyses for the proposed changes to the Water Quality Bureau (WQB) rules that are being made in accordance with Executive Order 10 (EO10) were published in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin on September 4, 2024.

Air quality permits for review, published 09/12/2024

9/12/2024 11:30:00 AM
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The DNR Air Quality Bureau has the following draft permits up for review.

Iowa companies experience impressive economic and environmental outcomes through partnership with DNR P2 program

9/12/2024 11:26:00 AM
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Iowa companies have saved more than 120.2 million dollars since 2001 as a result of implementing environmental improvements recommended by interns with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ Pollution Prevention Intern Program.

Environmental Protection Commission meeting agenda, published 09/12/2024

9/12/2024 11:12:00 AM
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The Environmental Protection Commission (EPC) of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will have their monthly business meeting September 17. The meeting is open to the public.

Boil advisory issued for communities in Marshall, Grundy counties due to pressure loss

9/11/2024 2:32:00 PM
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A boil advisory has been issued in several communities north of Marshalltown following a pressure loss event.

Wiese Slough Wildlife Area

9/10/2024 12:20:00 PM
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Wiese Slough is one of those places where the locals go when they need to get their outdoors “fix.”

Save the Date: Statewide Volunteer Day is Sept. 28

9/10/2024 12:19:00 PM
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Iowa state parks have set Saturday, Sept. 28, as annual Volunteer Day, when Iowans are invited to lend a hand at several state parks and forests hosting volunteer events. Join park staff to help care for Iowa’s natural areas, freshen up campgrounds and facilities, and spend time outdoors.

Habitat variety attracts birds and birders to Iowa River Bird Conservation Area

9/10/2024 12:17:00 PM
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Driving slowly along the two-track, generously labeled “340th Street” by Google Maps, Anna Buckardt Thomas has her windows down and is identifying each bird by its call. “House wren, red-winged blackbird, killdeer, goldfinch, catbird, flicker, cardinal, Eurasian tree sparrow, common yellowthroat,” the state avian ecologist said.