Iowa City, IA—Yesterday, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) hosted a town hall at the North Side Public Library in Des Moines where State Representative Dan Kelley, Iowa Food Cooperative Communications  Coordinator Ash Bruxvoort, and Iowa Farmers Union Board Member Tony Thompson led a discussion on water quality.  Specifically, they discussed the importance of clean water for our agricultural sector.  Nearly a dozen residents attended the town hall, and eagerly called on local decisions makers like Gov. Branstad and Iowa Department of Natural Resources Director Chuck Gipp to take stronger action to protect Iowa’s waterways.

“Clean water is critical to Iowan’s way of life,” said Tim Mahern-Macias, LCV Iowa Field Director. “The event brought community leaders, farmers and elected officials together to engage residents on the different ways to keep our waterways clean and healthy for generations to come.”

Action is needed to reduce agricultural runoff of phosphorus and nitrogen in Iowa’s water, and Iowa’s Nutrient Reduction Strategy needs to be stronger. The EPA’s recently finalized Clean Water Rule is an important tool in helping to filter pollutants out of Iowa’s waterways, and protects the drinking water sources of 21% of Iowans. An LCV poll found that this rule is supported by overwhelming majority of Americans, including Iowans. It’s important for our state to protect our waterways, which is why we are engaging the community on this critical issue. 

“Clean water is important for our health and economy,” said State Representative Dan Kelley. “We need to ensure that our water stays clean and safe by implementing the Clean Water Rule and strengthening the Nutrient Reduction Strategy. It’s up to all of us to help protect our precious waterways and encourage our state to take stronger action.”

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