Legal Documents
Driftless Water Defenders Complaint Against Agri Star for Alleged Pollution of Yellow River and Hecker Creek
On February 24, 2025 Driftless Water Defenders filed a complaint in federal court against Agri Star Meat and Poultry, LLC for violating the Clean Water Act (“CWA”). The DWD complaint alleges that violations of the CWA occurred and continue to occur at the Agri Star processing facility.The complaint, describes both Agri Star’s obligations and duties under the CWA and details a long series of violations of its operating permit, which DWD alleges wrongfully pollute Hecker Creek and the Yellow River.
Driftless Water Defenders Seeks Intervention in Summit Pipeline Appeal
On February 5, 2025 Driftless Water Defenders filed an Application to Intervene or, in the Alternative, Motion for Leave to File, Amicus Curiae Brief, asking the Iowa District Court for permission to allow DWD to intervene in an appeal made by multiple parties to a decision issued by the Iowa Utilities Commission (“IUC”) to permit Summit Carbon Solutions LLC (“Summit”), exercising powers of eminent domain, to construct a CO2 pipeline across Iowa.
DWD Alleges That Agristar’s Excessive Effluents Violate The Federal Clean Water Act.
On December 30, 2024 Driftless Water Defenders issued Agri Star Meat & Poultry, LLC, and Agri Star General, Inc. a Notice of Violations and Intent to Sue Under the Clean Water Act. Agri Star owns and operates an agricultural processing facility in Postville, Iowa. The notice alleges that long series of violations at the Agri Star slaughterhouse that pollute Hecker Creek and the Yellow River, both of which are classified as “navigable waters” of the United States. DWD is represented by Public Justice, FarmSTAND, and Larew Law Office.
Petition For Writ of Certiorari Challenging Decision to Rezone Land For a Manure Biodigester
On August 30, 2024 Driftless Water Defenders filed the first of two lawsuits in state court to challenge the construction of manure digesters in rural Winneshiek County. The suit opposed a rezoning of land from agricultural to industrial use designation to accommodate the digester. In the second lawsuit, DWD challenged the legality of the Winneshiek County Board of Adjustment’s issuance of a conditional use permit to the digester developers for not including provisions that will protect the public interest. Both lawsuits are pending.
On June 4, 2024, Chris Jones, in his capacity as president of Driftless Water Defenders, sent a letter to Michael S. Regan and Meg McCollister, at the national and regional offices of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, in support of a petition filed by the Iowa Environmental Council and 13 other state, regional and national environmental organizations. The petition calls on the EPA to exercise its emergency authority under the Safe Drinking Water Act to protect people in northeast Iowa from imminent harm from drinking contaminated water
Letter to The EPA
DWD Press Releases
MANURE DIGESTER PROMOTERS SURRENDER CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT-DWD FILES MOTION TO HALT FURTHER CONSTRUCTION
Attorneys for Driftless Water Defenders (DWD) have been informed by attorneys for companies building a manure biodigester in Winneshiek County that a conditional use permit (CUP) for constructing the digester has been surrendered by the companies to the Winneshiek County Board of Adjustment.
DRIFTLESS WATER DEFENDERS FILES FEDERAL CLEAN WATER LAWSUIT AGAINST AGRI STAR FOR POLLUTING IOWA’S YELLOW RIVER AND HECKER CREEK
(Decorah, Iowa) — Today, Driftless Water Defenders (“DWD”), an Iowa non-profit membership corporation focused on water issues in Iowa, filed a federal civil lawsuit against Agri Star Meat & Poultry, LLC for violating the federal Clean Water Act (“CWA”).
DRIFTLESS WATER DEFENDERS AND OTHER PETITIONERS FILE PETITION CHALLENGING DNR DECISION ON SUPREME BEEF WATER USE PERMIT
Driftless Water Defenders (DWD), an Iowa non-profit environmental law and advocacy organization focused on reducing farm-related water pollution and improving the state’s water quality, worked with petitioners Tammy Thompson, Scott Boylen, Alicia Mullarkey, Linda Applegate, Larry A. Stone, Mary Damm and Steve Veysey (Petitioners) to file their Petition for Judicial Review in Clayton County Iowa District Court against the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Supreme Beef, LLC (Supreme Beef) on February 11, 2025. Petitioners are Iowans who live near Supreme Beef or who are outdoor enthusiasts and scientists who care about the natural beauty of the Driftless Area of Iowa and protecting the pristine water and culture of clean water that has characterized the Driftless Area for generations….
DRIFTLESS WATER DEFENDERS SEEKS INTERVENTION IN SUMMIT PIPELINE APPEAL
Driftless Water Defenders (“DWD”), an Iowa non-profit environmental law and advocacy organization focused on reducing farm-related water pollution and improving the state’s water quality, filed a motion asking the Iowa District Court for permission to allow DWD to intervene in an appeal made by multiple parties to a decision issued by the Iowa Utilities Commission (“IUC”) to permit Summit Carbon Solutions LLC (“Summit”), exercising powers of eminent domain, to construct a CO2 pipeline across Iowa…
DRIFTLESS WATER DEFENDERS CHALLENGES DNR FINAL DECISION ON SUPREME BEEF WATER USE PERMIT
Driftless Water Defenders (DWD), an Iowa non-profit environmental law and advocacy organization focused on reducing farm-related water pollution and improving the state’s water quality, announced today that it will appeal the final decision of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in a case involving water use by one of Iowa’s largest cattle feeding operations.
Agri Star Pollution of Iowa Waterways Has Violated Clean Water Act For Years
Driftless Water Defenders issued Agri Star Meat & Poultry, LLC, and Agri Star General, Inc. a Notice of Violations and Intent to Sue Under the Clean Water Act. Agri Star owns and operates a polluting slaughterhouse in Postville.
Driftless Water Defenders Files Citizen Supreme Beef Water Use Permit Challenge to DNR
In a case that seeks much greater protection for Iowa’s surface and groundwater Driftless Water Defenders (DWD) filed a citizen complaint with Iowa’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to challenge the agency’s rubber stamp approval of water use permits.
January 16, 2025
DWD Press Release RE: Elkader Event
“Iowans have a fundamental right to clean water,” declared Driftless Water Defenders President Chris Jones, in an early public event introducing the formation of the new advocacy group. “Iowa’s water quality is getting worse and we need organized, citizen involvement if we’re going to turn things around. DWD’s members will push forward with needed clean water advocacy.”
June 27, 2024
DWD Press Release RE: Inaugural Meeting
June 4, 2024
