Area meetings being held to gather input from public on Yellow River water quality improvement plan

Iowans interested in the results of a Department of Natural Resources (DNR) study to improve water quality in the Yellow River and its tributaries in Allamakee and Winneshiek counties can attend one of three meetings to be held September 26 and September 27. Citizens are encouraged to bring their questions to the meeting.
The Yellow River and several of its tributaries are on the state’s list of impaired waters for high levels of indicator bacteria. The current study, or DNR water quality improvement plan, shows where the bacteria comes from and how these problems can be addressed.
The plan explores the amounts and sources of bacteria entering the river system and offers potential solutions to reduce those levels and work toward fixing the problem. The document is designed as a guide for local resource agencies, partners, stakeholders and residents to improve the water quality in the river system. Staff from the DNR’s Watershed Improvement Program will be on hand to answer questions.
The meetings will be held at the following locations and times:
• September 26, 1-3 p.m. at the Yellow River State Forest Visitor Center, 729 State Forest Road, Harpers Ferry
• September 26, 6-8 p.m. at the Allamakee County NRCS Office, 635 Ninth Street NW, Waukon
• September 27, 9-11 a.m. at the Ossian Community Building, 123 West Main Street.
Those not able to attend a public meeting can receive more information at www.iowadnr.gov/Environment/WaterQuality/WatershedImprovement/WatershedR... and submit comments on the plan by October 8 via e-mail at jeff.berckes@dnr.iowa.gov, or by mail at Jeff Berckes, care of Iowa DNR, Wallace State Office Building, 502 East Ninth Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50319.
After gathering comments, the DNR will forward the final plan, also called by its technical name of Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for approval.