This has been a far longer concern than most people are aware of. In the 30's and 40's there was a big move to try to improve agriculture and the use of the land including protecting streams. I'm only aware of this through a series of articles in the Pella Chronicle describing the new ideas that were being tried out in the area where my parents lived. One of them was having a protective barrier of vegetation around streams to prevent loose soil run off. Probably the only fertilizer at the time was manure but they did recognize it was not good for humans and their livestock drinking from it down stream. There is no excuse for anyone to imagine that Iowa's farming practices do not need improvement. It is not exciting as being furious about whether or not there should be more restrictions on abortions to save every life while the living die early because of our neglect to do something about current farming operations.
Bob, I get a strong sense of agitation from your piece. I’ve know you for a short time and you have always given off an aura of calmness. Thank you for getting me fired up this morning. You and Art talking about microdosing Iowans to death. I haven’t read Chris yet but know he will fire me up as well.
Good morning, Bob. It’s only 6:00 a.m. and you have me fired up. How can water quality be controversial?? You point out that farmers are trying to do the right thing. I assume that is farmers who live here, and not farming operations owned by large corporate entities. But our legislators live here. Our governor lives here. I saw yesterday the Star Spangled Banner proposal. One more insult to the intelligence of all Iowans.
I will send your column to everyone I know in Iowa who drinks water (!!!) and I will contact legislators. Today.
Thank you Bob, for your vigilance and your care for Iowa and Iowans.
Thank you for the kind of journalism required for this frustrating political era. I intend to share and hope others do too. Dr. Jones’ book was my selection for this month’s book club, which was eagerly accepted. We are looking forward to the discussion and I hope there will be some political involvement as a result.
Well said ! I lived on a farm and had our water tested frequently,just for that reason- run off, animal excrement and especially for nitrates as had young children. We chlorinated then and many times boiled water. Then when moved to current area I was head of a local water source group for our neighbourhood. We tested monthly. I had a good friend who worked for the state water quality group. He shared that the area in northeastern iowa where I was raised had significant water quality issues. Findings back then indicated high rates of cancer in our county( Clayton at that time). My mother worked for the county extension office and had grave concerns re the use of pesticides and herbicides. Both my parents died of cancer and I , fortunately am a survivor, but many people I knew died from it as well. The quality of our water is definitely an issue that needs to be shouted from the rooftops so to speak. It has to be seriously addressed. Thank you for addressing this issue.
Thank you, Mr. Leonard, for a well written blog. The lack of attention to numerous conservation issues by so many of our fellow Iowa citizens is very complex. (look at the sneak attack by the republican legislature with SSB3129 and HF 2104) I don't think it's because people don't care, at least I hope not. It is exactly because we do not have a conservation champion employed by our larger newspaper publishers. Iowa is all about the good old boy network and if you follow the money, you will discover the source of priority. You outlined a great strategy to combine likeminded people with similar thoughts. Are there enough of us to make a difference and change this narrative? All of us must hope so and then act.
Perhaps your interview covered this, but as to strategy: Have the proponents of HF 2029 obtained any backing from CDI (Conservation Districts of Iowa)? The lobbying day for all the soil and water conservation district commissioners is coming right up, on Feb 8, 2024. See https://www.cdiowa.org/event/iowa-conservation-partnership-day/
My humble suggestion is that without strong buy-in from CDI, the legislation will not pass. The Commissioners are the ultimate enforcement body, if my scan of the legislation is correct.
I think this is a worthy piece of legislation and a baby step. But even it will not go far if Iowa's political climate devolves into what we see in France right now between farmers and environmental groups. Blockades by farmers and throwing soup at the Mona Lisa.....stuff that really just riles everyone up....makes good press, but solves few of the sticky issues.
And what other groups might care? Pheasants Forever? Is there an umbrella group for county conservation boards? I would normally suggest Practical Farmers of Iowa, but I believe they shy away from lobbying.
So I wonder whether the proponents started lobbying their soil district commissioners last spring/summer or so, when CDI sends each county board a questionnaire asking their priorities? If CDI doesn’t have this on its radar by now, the legislature may not hear about it....from the farmers who would be most apt to support it.
I think it is going to take an organized efforts by one of the groups who have the interest and the connections to make it happen. Chris Jones had a companion post today that is really good. https://riverraccoon.substack.com/p/interview-with-bob-leonard Hopefully someone will take the ball and run. Thanks Josiah.
This has been a far longer concern than most people are aware of. In the 30's and 40's there was a big move to try to improve agriculture and the use of the land including protecting streams. I'm only aware of this through a series of articles in the Pella Chronicle describing the new ideas that were being tried out in the area where my parents lived. One of them was having a protective barrier of vegetation around streams to prevent loose soil run off. Probably the only fertilizer at the time was manure but they did recognize it was not good for humans and their livestock drinking from it down stream. There is no excuse for anyone to imagine that Iowa's farming practices do not need improvement. It is not exciting as being furious about whether or not there should be more restrictions on abortions to save every life while the living die early because of our neglect to do something about current farming operations.
Bob, I get a strong sense of agitation from your piece. I’ve know you for a short time and you have always given off an aura of calmness. Thank you for getting me fired up this morning. You and Art talking about microdosing Iowans to death. I haven’t read Chris yet but know he will fire me up as well.
FIRED UP! Maybe we Iowans are too calm . . . Unless it comes to requiring kids to sing the national anthem .....
Denise, you are detecting frustration, for sure!
A book club I belong to will discuss Chris’ book this month. Maybe a suggestion for yous. Regards.
Good morning, Bob. It’s only 6:00 a.m. and you have me fired up. How can water quality be controversial?? You point out that farmers are trying to do the right thing. I assume that is farmers who live here, and not farming operations owned by large corporate entities. But our legislators live here. Our governor lives here. I saw yesterday the Star Spangled Banner proposal. One more insult to the intelligence of all Iowans.
I will send your column to everyone I know in Iowa who drinks water (!!!) and I will contact legislators. Today.
Thank you Bob, for your vigilance and your care for Iowa and Iowans.
Thank you Virginia! You are an inspiration!
Thank you for the kind of journalism required for this frustrating political era. I intend to share and hope others do too. Dr. Jones’ book was my selection for this month’s book club, which was eagerly accepted. We are looking forward to the discussion and I hope there will be some political involvement as a result.
excellent! The book is an excellent read. opened my eyes, for sure. I hope you have a good conversation about it.
Well said ! I lived on a farm and had our water tested frequently,just for that reason- run off, animal excrement and especially for nitrates as had young children. We chlorinated then and many times boiled water. Then when moved to current area I was head of a local water source group for our neighbourhood. We tested monthly. I had a good friend who worked for the state water quality group. He shared that the area in northeastern iowa where I was raised had significant water quality issues. Findings back then indicated high rates of cancer in our county( Clayton at that time). My mother worked for the county extension office and had grave concerns re the use of pesticides and herbicides. Both my parents died of cancer and I , fortunately am a survivor, but many people I knew died from it as well. The quality of our water is definitely an issue that needs to be shouted from the rooftops so to speak. It has to be seriously addressed. Thank you for addressing this issue.
Thank you Carolyn! Well put.
Thank you, Mr. Leonard, for a well written blog. The lack of attention to numerous conservation issues by so many of our fellow Iowa citizens is very complex. (look at the sneak attack by the republican legislature with SSB3129 and HF 2104) I don't think it's because people don't care, at least I hope not. It is exactly because we do not have a conservation champion employed by our larger newspaper publishers. Iowa is all about the good old boy network and if you follow the money, you will discover the source of priority. You outlined a great strategy to combine likeminded people with similar thoughts. Are there enough of us to make a difference and change this narrative? All of us must hope so and then act.
Thank you! I'll look into those bills.
Perhaps your interview covered this, but as to strategy: Have the proponents of HF 2029 obtained any backing from CDI (Conservation Districts of Iowa)? The lobbying day for all the soil and water conservation district commissioners is coming right up, on Feb 8, 2024. See https://www.cdiowa.org/event/iowa-conservation-partnership-day/
My humble suggestion is that without strong buy-in from CDI, the legislation will not pass. The Commissioners are the ultimate enforcement body, if my scan of the legislation is correct.
I think this is a worthy piece of legislation and a baby step. But even it will not go far if Iowa's political climate devolves into what we see in France right now between farmers and environmental groups. Blockades by farmers and throwing soup at the Mona Lisa.....stuff that really just riles everyone up....makes good press, but solves few of the sticky issues.
Great point Josiah. here are the declarations right now.
Bill LSB Number Lobbyist Declaration Client Date Comments
HF 2029 5487YH Dane Schumann For Izaak Walton League - Iowa Division 01/23/2024 07:55 PM
HF 2029 5487YH Threase Harms For Iowa Environmental Council 01/23/2024 09:57 AM
HF 2029 5487YH Chelsea Hoye For Iowa Environmental Council 01/23/2024 09:57 AM
HF 2029 5487YH Jefferson Fink Undecided Coalition for Iowa Woodlands and Trees 01/14/2024 03:18 PM
HF 2029 5487YH James Obradovich Undecided Coalition for Iowa Woodlands and Trees 01/14/2024 03:18 PM
HF 2029 5487YH Victoria Sinclair Undecided Coalition for Iowa Woodlands and Trees 01/14/2024 03:18 PM
HF 2029 5487YH Pam Mackey-Taylor For Iowa Chapter of Sierra Club 01/13/2024 10:32 AM
HF 2029 5487YH Todd Coffelt Undecided Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources
And what other groups might care? Pheasants Forever? Is there an umbrella group for county conservation boards? I would normally suggest Practical Farmers of Iowa, but I believe they shy away from lobbying.
So I wonder whether the proponents started lobbying their soil district commissioners last spring/summer or so, when CDI sends each county board a questionnaire asking their priorities? If CDI doesn’t have this on its radar by now, the legislature may not hear about it....from the farmers who would be most apt to support it.
I think it is going to take an organized efforts by one of the groups who have the interest and the connections to make it happen. Chris Jones had a companion post today that is really good. https://riverraccoon.substack.com/p/interview-with-bob-leonard Hopefully someone will take the ball and run. Thanks Josiah.
Great news! Thanks!
Excellent, Bob! Let’s put your plan into action.
Any updates on this bill?
Just sent it out! Thanks for asking.
Not sure I saw your update on the bill??
YES! Strategy! A strategic and unified approach, please ! You nailed it.
Thanks Mary!
This is a really important topic. Thank you, Bob. It is indeed common sense.
Margaret Rhodes
Thanks Margaret!
👍Time to get moving on this! Lip service doesn’t cut it!
Bob, is it HF 2019 or 2029?
2029. Thanks! I fixed it. The link is correct. That's what I get for working without net (editor!).
Guilty as charged. I did not know about this bill. Thank you!