CCI member Joyce Bollhoefer: DNR’s changes to factory farm rules is wrong

Lots of us recreate on lakes with friends and family. For hours at a time, we boat, canoe and kayak. Needless to say, we congregate there.

But the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) doesn't see it that way.In their recent revisions to factory farm rules, the DNR decided lakes are no longer considered a "public use area." They erased the word "lakes" from the definition, meaning factory farms can build even closer to these precious water bodies.Why would DNR do this, you ask?As revealed by Iowa CCI's Freedom of Information Act request, the change was made at the behest of the Iowa Pork Producers Association. That's right: the very industry DNR is charged with regulating.It's clear as day that Gov. Branstad's DNR isn't working for the people of Iowa and certainly isn't protecting our natural resources. All Iowans should be up in arms about this deliberate decision to weaken factory farm rules at the expense of our water and communities. The continual deregulation of this industry leaves us with no choice but to call for a moratorium on any new or expanding factory farms!Published in the Marshalltown Times Republican.