Blog

posted by Cody Smith on Friday, June 28, 2024 If you were to ask someone from another part of the country about their perceptions of Iowa, it is likely that a history of LGBTQ+ rights and environmental leadership wouldn't make the top of their list. However, for a small state in the heart of the country, Iowa has an impressive history of leadership in both-even if our state has failed to live up to that legacy in recent times. Read on to learn more about the state's legacy of pride and environmental justice.

posted by Sarah Howe on Wednesday, June 19, 2024 Juneteenth (short for "June Nineteenth") is a federal holiday commemorating the liberation of slaves in 1865. On June 17, 2021, it officially became a federal holiday. This year, IEC is commemorating Juneteenth by advocating and uplifting the work of Iowan celebrations, while also holding space for the decades of environmental inequities that continue across the state. Read on to learn more.

posted by Michael Schmidt on Friday, June 7, 2024 As a statewide organization, most of IEC's work focuses on state actions - but sometimes, the state is unwilling to do what needs to be done. In April, the state Environmental Protection Commission adopted rules for animal feeding operations that did not include protections that DNR itself identified were necessary. Read on to learn about our responses.

posted by Guest Blogger on Thursday, May 16, 2024 This guest blog is from Jeff Severin, Senior Program Manager at the Heartland Environmental Justice Center (HEJC) in Wichita, Kansas. Jeff details the meaning of environmental justice and how it impacts lives throughout the Midwest. The HEJC serves as a resource and advocate for marginalized communities to better understand local issues, and boost capacity to make meaningful and sustainable changes towards justice.

posted by Sarah Howe on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 Lead service lines (LSLs) and galvanized steel lead lines are pipes used to distribute water from a water utility. These types of pipelines were widely used prior to 1900 and well into the 20th century, although there was research even then to suggest that lead exposure had detrimental effects to human health. In the United States, LSLs were allowed, and often mandated, until the 1986 Safe Drinking Water Act Lead Ban.

posted by Michael Schmidt on Monday, May 13, 2024 New EPA regulations on coal ash will have an immediate impact in Iowa. On May 3rd, IEC submitted public comments on a draft permit that proposed to allow discharges of coal ash leachate upstream from the drinking water intake for Ottumwa.

posted by Guest Blogger on Thursday, May 2, 2024 Stormwater is the water that runs off impervious surfaces like paved roads, rooftops, and lawns. In this guest blog, Isaac Svoboda, Engineering Technician with the City of West Des Moines, discusses the West Des Moines Stormwater Assistance Program (SWAP). This program offers a practical way for the community to get involved in stormwater management while receiving financial incentives to do so.

posted by Marshall James on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 Monday, April 22nd was Earth Day and to celebrate, Iowans of diverse faiths rallied in Des Moines to demand a clean energy future. IEC Communications & Advocacy Associate Marshall James paints of a picture of the rally in this blog post.

posted by Guest Blogger on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 In this guest blog, Lyndy Holt shares results from her Master's work with the University of Iowa's Healthy Lakes Initiative. Iowa Water Watch readers were invited to participate in the Iowa Water Recreation Survey in the April 2023 newsletter. The survey yielded 1,638 respondents throughout the state and established the channels that Iowans use to learn about water health and safety.

posted on Thursday, April 4, 2024 While Earth Day officially takes place on Monday, April 22, many organizations, communities, and groups recognize and celebrate all things Earth and the environment throughout the month. Iowans have many ways to get involved and give back - find out more here!