(Spirit Lake)– About 20 people attended a public hearing Thursday evening in Spirit Lake on new standards being proposed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources that coincide with the federal Cleanwater Act.
One of the changes being proposed is to bump up the classification of some streams and rivers that carry effluent from wastewater treatment and industrial plants. Locally, the change would affect Mill Creek, which the Iowa Great Lakes Sanitary District discharges treated wastewater into. Treatment plants on rivers and streams falling into that category will have to be updated to meet the more stringent requirements.
The DNR is still accepting comments in writing until October 28th.
Chuck Corel says it could be sometime in April before they have new regulations in place. While the DNR can pass the new regulations administratively, Corel expects the legislature will get involved.
Once the new regulations are in place, Corel says the DNR will begin fieldwork on the affected rivers and streams.
Corel says the DNR will negotiate with facilities who will need to meet stricter limits. Corel says under state law, those facilities that have recently upgraded can’t be forced to make additional improvements for 10 years. Corel says it’s likely the federal EPA will object and write the permits itself, or conclude that Iowa can’t implement the program at all due to the 10-year law and take it over itself.
Regardless, officials say improving water quality of the rivers and streams that would be affected certainly won’t happen overnight, but in some cases will take many years and a lot of money.
Thursday’s hearing was held via the Iowa Communications Network.
