(Des Moines)– A local state lawmaker says a committee is working on a bill to tighten penalties against anyone found responsible for manure or fertilizer spills.
Senator Jack Kibbie of Emmetsburg is one of 12 lawmakers serving on the panel. He says they held their first meeting last week and will be meeting again Tuesday. Kibbie says they’ve identified 18 different areas that need to be addressed regarding livestock and fertilizer pipelines.
Kibbie says a reorganization of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources that would put more personnel out in the field would definitely help in regulating such facilities.
Kibbie is hopeful they’ll be able to come up with some sort of package palatable to everyone involved. But he’s the first to admit it won’t be easy.
Kibbie says there’s a new urgency to get something done in light of the recent major spills near Algona and Sheldon.
