DWD MARCH 2025 NEWSLETTER
Sold Out!
Here’s an unmistakable signal that Driftless Water Defenders is dialing up the magic and gathering the right vibe for its work to keep the region’s water clean. The May 8 benefit concert in Decorah, featuring legendary folksinger Greg Brown and other Iowa artists, sold out just a couple of weeks after tickets went on sale in January. The concert is the first big fund raising event hosted by DWD. It will be held in the Steyer Opera House at the Hotel Winneshiek, and promises to be a memorable night of lyrics and music striking just the right chords for water quality and the public interest.
Month of Action
Opposing Pollution From Manure Biodigester
On March 5 DWD was back in court to file a motion for an injunction to block a manure digester’s construction in Winneshiek County. The DWD motion was prompted by a decision by the digester’s promoters to “surrender” a conditional use permit issued by the Winneshiek County Board of Adjustment. The surrender came 23 days after the board, without public participation, issued new rules for how it should proceed in considering digester proposals. “The essence of democratic government is the opportunity for citizens to be heard before decisions are made that impact their rights,” said Chris Jones, president of DWD. The district court denied the injunction after being advised by the digester’s proponents that they had surrendered their permit and did not intend to proceed with construction efforts until they had obtained another permit.
Public Hearing Requested on Water Use
On March 25, in a letter to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, DWD formally requested the agency to hold a public hearing regarding a proposal by Pattison Company to significantly increase water withdrawals at its sand mining operation in Clayton County. The company is seeking state authority to modify one or more of its existing state water use permits. Five years ago Pattison intended to sell water to an Oregon entity by shipping it via rail car to the western state. Iowa DNR stopped the sale before it could occur. DWD is closely monitoring the state program for managing water use permits, which to date have been largely unregulated.
Mark Your Calendar
Harkin Institute Wellness Symposium on the Future of Clean Water
Wednesday, April 16, James C. Larew, DWD registered agent and legal counsel, will be a featured speaker at the Harkin on Wellness Symposium on The Future of Clean Water. Jim’s presentation will focus on the fundamental right to access clean water. The day-long symposium will be held at Parents Hall, Olmsted Center at Drake University. The event is free, but registration is required. Registration includes lunch. The event also will be livestreamed on the Harkin Institute YouTube channel.
New Projects
Iowa Oats Initiative
DWD is laying the groundwork for a new project to revive the Iowa oats harvest. The goal is to promote crop diversity, especially in northeast Iowa, add to farm incomes, and significantly reduce water pollution. Oats were once the ‘second’ crop in Iowa, next to corn, with 6.5 million acres planted in 1950. Work animals that consumed most of the oats vanished and the state oat harvest diminished to 120,000 acres. Soybeans displaced oats and other crops, with corn remaining the most heavily fertilized crop. Soybean production and hogs and chickens concentrated into factory farm CAFOs have gone hand in hand.
Oats, meanwhile, are ecologically relevant because they require 80 to 90 percent less fertilizer, reduce soil erosion, and improve soil health. In the aftermath of the 25 percent tariff that the president wants to levy on Canada, oats also have become economically relevant, especially in Iowa. Canada is the sole supplier of oats to Cedar Rapids where Quaker Oats operates the largest oats mill in the world.
DWD is planning a public meeting to launch the Iowa Oats Initiative. We’re talking to business executives, labor leaders, farmers, local government officials, and citizens. Our is a message of good news for the economy and water quality -- for local industry, farms and mills, communities, and residents. More to come.
See Chris Jones’ masterful article on oats. https://riverraccoon.substack.com/p/cereal-killer-gifts-weapon-to-iowa
Highlandville Clean Water School
On May 17, at the Highlandville School, DWD will launch a new public education project: The Highlandville Clean Water School. An important part of the clean water movement is to educate and inspire citizens in new forms of clean-water activism. The free day-long event will involve citizens who will engage each other and learn how to do water testing for nitrates and other contaminants. There will be time for those who want to hike or learn how to trout fish to do that. For those who want to camp overnight, there will be a time for sharing around campfires.
The Clean Water School curriculum and activities are modeled after the Highland Folk School, which taught students in the pre-Civil Rights era to read, write, survive voter registration obstacles and learn to defend against brutalities. Our belief is that Iowans have a fundamental right to access clean water. Our vision is to teach water testing practices and theories, and encourage students to return home to teach and advocate about Iowa's need for cleaner water. More to come.
Iowa 48 Lakes Project
During the Great Depression, supported by the federal government, the State of Iowa constructed some of the nation’s best state parks. Many featured manmade lakes and public beaches. For generations, these sites provided middle class families opportunities to swim, boat, fish and socialize. In recent years industrial farming pollutants have created dangerous water conditions. Most of the beaches, for many summer weekends, are closed to public use. It’s time to push back. During Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends, at 48 of Iowa’s state park public beach facilities, DWD is spearheading an effort to bring public attention to this serious problem. More to come.
DWD in the News
March 21 – Decorah Leader - Driftless Water Defenders ask court to temporarily halt biodigester construction - A regional environmentalist group is hoping a court will order work at the site of a proposed biodigester be halted, but the renewable natural gas company constructing the digester isn’t planning to stop without a fight.
March 3 – The Gazette - Winneshiek manure digester project surrenders zoning permit - Farmers and a company that want to build a manure digester in Winneshiek County will reapply for a permit because the county lacked state-mandated rules when it was first approved.
March 3 – U.S. Right To Know - Blood, body parts and bacteria pollute wastewater from meatpacking plants - Slaughterhouses and meat and poultry processing plants are among the nation’s most polluting industries.
