1. Bill Ehm, Administrator Environmental Services Division

3. Iowa’s Top Issue: Water Quality

4. Raccoon River Watershed 2.3 million acres Across 17 counties River is ~ 186 mi. long 73% of watershed is agricultural

5. What are the problems? Sediment and Nutrients Loss of habitat for fish and other aquatic species Downstream impacts on the Mississippi River and Gulf of Mexico

6. How do we determine what pollutants are in the river? Water Sampling and Monitoring

7. Where do pollutants come from? Two main categories of pollution sources – Point sources – Nonpoint sources Most of our current water quality problems come from nonpoint sources which are not regulated

8. “The Cuyahoga will live in infamy as the only river that was ever declared a fire hazard." Infamous Distinction… - Congressman Louis Stokes The Cuyahoga River – Ohio

9. Limited regulatory authority over non-point sources.

10. Mississippi River At Pikes Peak State Park Gulf Hypoxia – our actions affect more than Iowa Wisconsin Illinois

11. Strategies to improve water quality Nutrient Strategy North Fork Maquoketa River, NE Iowa Slow the water down Partnerships

12. Strategies to improve water quality Nutrient Strategy Slow the water down Partnerships

13. Strategies to improve water quality Nutrient Strategy Slow the water down Partnerships

14. Air Quality Stationary Air MonitorIllegal dumping and burning

15. Questions? Contact: William.Ehm@dnr.iowa.gov