Manure pollution on video

Are you attending a Clean Water Fight hearing? This is why you should.

 Last Thursday, member Rita Dvorak sent us video of a steady stream of manure runoff from her neighbor’s cattle feedlot and confinement going right into the Wapsipinicon River.

As awful as that may sound, it’s not the first time it’s happened.

This is the perfect example of why we’re pushing the DNR to amend its proposed Clean Water Act permit rules. Rita has been battling manure pollution from her next door neighbor's operation for years and has spent thousands of dollars to clean up their farm pond.

Last April the same facility spilled into the Wapsipinicon River. DNR never issued a fine and they blatantly refused to give them a Clean Water Act permit, which could have prevented future pollution from happening again.  Their line was “well if anything happens next time…”That “next time” just happened a few days ago, right into the Wapsi River again.

Watch Rita Dvorak’s video of the runoff: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEu84h3oLQQ&feature=youtu.be

Rita’s property has been overrun with toxic manure pollution, and so have our waterways. This is exactly why we need the DNR to re-write their draft rule to require:

• Factory farm polluters to receive a Clean Water Act permit;

• A “three strikes and you’re out” provision so we can shut down the worst polluters;

• A new database of factory farm manure spills, inspections, and permitting so we can hold the DNR accountable.