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
Consent Orders A consent order is issued as an alternative to issuing an administrative order. A consent order indicates that the DNR has voluntarily entered into a legally enforceable agreement with the other party.
Allamakee County
Farmers Union Cooperative
Cease all illegal discharges into waters of the state; submit a written plan detailing protocols on the following: proper disposal methods for all activities involving wastewater disposal, procedures for cleaning secondary containment structures, storage tanks, and equipment, and a requirement that staff sign a document acknowledging such procedures; and pay a $6,000 administrative penalty.
Henry County
Jim Tomson
Voluntarily surrender water treatment and wastewater certifications; an eligibility assessment to retest may be requested after July 1, 2027; and do not perform any shift operator or operator-in-charge responsibilities until re-certified.
Webster County
City of Fort Dodge
Cease all illegal discharges to waters of the state; cease all illegal bypasses; submit a written plan detailing protocols on the following: implementing remote monitoring of force mains to detect leaks more quickly and regular physical inspections of air relief values after extreme cold or unexpected conditions; develop and submit an emergency response plan detailing how the City will quickly clean-up or mitigate environmental damages from bypasses; and pay a $8,000 administrative penalty.
Administrative Orders
Responsible parties have 60 days to appeal the order or 60 days to pay the penalty.