ICCI Raises Environmental Questions About Flooding
By ICCI
The
recent floods in Iowa have drawn attention to the fact that the state's
waterways are some of the most polluted in the nation. Iowans shouldn't
have to wonder the toxic effects of floodwaters on their health and
their homes, and that is why Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement
(Iowa CCI) will address the need to clean up Iowa's waterways at its
July 18-19 Statewide Convention at the Hotel Fort Des Moines. More
information and registration can be found at www.iowacci.org
David
Osterberg, Executive Director of the Iowa Policy Project, will lead a
workshop at the convention that will give Iowans new ideas and
information for the fight to clean up Iowa's waters.
"The
floodwaters that have inundated Iowa this month point out the need to
ensure better water quality in the first place," CCI member Lori Nelson
of Bayard said. "Health officials have repeatedly warned people that
the flood waters contain dangerous pollutants."
CCI
members from all across the state have been fighting hard to get
government officials to clean up our waterways and hold factory farms
accountable for the pollution they create. In May, CCI members
petitioned the Iowa Department of Natural Resources' (DNR)
Environmental Protection Commission (EPC) to ban factory farms from
applying manure on frozen or snow-covered ground which when it melts,
runs off and contaminates waterways. CCI submitted this petition in
response to record levels of pollution in rivers and streams across the
state this spring.
"The DNR
and the EPC have a chance to do something about our polluted
waterways," said CCI member Jack Troeger from Ames. "If they care
about our health, they should support our rule-making petition and ban
the application of factory farm manure on frozen ground."
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Monday, June 30
ICCI Raises Environmental Questions About Flooding
by
Sam Garchik
on Mon 30 Jun 2008 06:00 PM CDT
Thursday, June 26
Iowa CCI members tell Governor and legislators: No taxpayer flood bailout for factory farms
by
Sam Garchik
on Thu 26 Jun 2008 06:03 PM CDT
Iowa CCI members tell Governor and legislators: No taxpayer flood bailout for factory farms
By Matt Ohloff, ICCI Relief from devastating floods should address needs of everyday Iowans, not factory farms Tuesday, June 24, 2008, Des Moines, Iowa - With the devastating floods all across the state, the Iowa legislature recently announced it will form an interim study committee to address the effects of the flood on Iowa's livestock industry. Members of Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement (Iowa CCI) are concerned that the study committee could result in a massive multi-million dollar taxpayer bailout for the factory farm industry. That's why CCI leaders sent a letter today to Governor Culver, Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, House Speaker Pat Murphy and Senate President Jack Kibbie, telling them to respond to the everyday Iowans affected by this crisis, not corporate ag and factory farms. "It is absolutely unacceptable for a multi-million dollar taxpayer bailout for corporate-backed factory farms," said CCI member Norma Hauck from Livermore. "Everyday Iowans must be included in this process, and CCI will make sure that the decisions that come from this committee will serve the common good, not the fat cats of the factory farm industry." The study committee will meet later in the summer. Iowa CCI will track the livestock flood committee and make sure they don't cave in to powerful corporate special interests that may try to take advantage of this disaster. "We need our legislators and elected officials to make sure the needs of everyday Iowans are taken care of - and not fork over taxpayer money to bailout the factory farm industry and powerful special interests," said Iowa CCI member Brenda LaBlanc from Des Moines Tuesday, June 17
ICCI Announces Speaker for 2008 Convention
by
Sam Garchik
on Tue 17 Jun 2008 10:00 PM CDT
ICCI Announces Speaker for 2008 Convention
By ICCI As political campaigns heat up in Iowa this election season, Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement (Iowa CCI) will welcome John Nichols, Washington correspondent for The Nation magazine, as the keynote speaker for its Annual Convention on Friday, July 18 at 8:00 PM at the Hotel Fort Des Moines, 1000 Walnut Street in Des Moines, as he talks about the importance of Iowans being a powerful bloc of voters who can make a difference during the elections. Tickets for the event can be purchased for $15.00 in advance or for $20.00 at the door. To purchase tickets, call Iowa CCI at 515-282-0484 or visit www.iowacci.org . "Nichols is a very fitting speaker for this year's convention," said Hugh Espey, Executive Director of Iowa CCI. "As we gear up for the elections, he will encourage us as everyday Iowans and voters to shape the debate." In addition to his work at The Nation, Nichols is a pioneering political blogger, a contributing writer for The Progressive and In These Times, the associate editor of the Capitol Times, and his columns have appeared in the New York Times, Chicago Tribune and dozens of other newspapers. He has also authored several books and is the co-founder of Free Press, a national media reform network. Nichols will also offer a book signing following his speech for all attendees, including Tragedy and Farce. "John Nichols is an important figure in American political, social and economic commentary," said Susie Petra, an Iowa CCI member from Ames. "His connection between politics and economics is an eye opener and is great for us to hear. We are honored to have him come to our convention and are looking forward to the opportunity to hear him speak." The CCI Convention will be held July18 & 19 at the Hotel Fort Des Moines. The registration fee of $120.00 includes family admission for the full convention, lodging at the Hotel Fort Des Moines, three meals made with family farm and local foods, as well as tickets to the keynote address. Workshops will cover the election season, local vs. industrial foods, the foreclosure crisis, factory farms and the environment, ethanol and biofuels, immigration reform and much more. Monday, June 2
Prestage Farms Withdraws Plans to Build 7,488-Head Hog Factory in Poweshiek Co.
by
Sam Garchik
on Mon 02 Jun 2008 05:25 PM CDT
Prestage Farms Withdraws Plans to Build 7,488-Head Hog Factory in Poweshiek Co.
By ICCI Iowa CCI members and local residents score victory over hog-factory corporation Dozens of residents in Poweshiek County have been in opposition to a proposed hog factory since they were aware of the plans in March. Prestage Farms, the 5th largest hog factory corporation in the country with hundreds of thousands of sows, applied for a construction permit to build this 7,488-head hog factory in Poweshiek County. On May 28, as a result of overwhelming public opposition, Prestage Farms withdrew their plans to build. Members of Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement (CCI) and local residents opposed the proposed hog factory for a number of reasons. They were concerned that manure would most likely be applied to highly-erodible fields that drain into the watershed for Diamond Lake – the source of drinking water for thousands of local residents. They also raised questions about the health effects and what this factory farm would do to their quality of life. “We are very excited that Prestage Farms withdrew their plans,” said Julie Anderson, CCI member and neighbor who lives close to the proposed site. “This proves that things can get done when people come together to fight for what is best for their community. We’ll continue to stand up for family farms and rural communities, and fight all corporate-backed factory farms that try to build here.” Matt Ohloff, Rural Organizer Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement 2001 Forest Ave Des Moines, IA 50311 515-282-0484 matt@iowacci.org We talk. We act. We get it done. Join us for CCI's Statewide Convention Real People. Real Power. Real Change. July 18 & 19 Hotel Fort Des Moines, 10th & Walnut Featuring keynote speaker John Nichols, pioneering political blogger and writer for the Nation magazine. He'll be a fiery speaker you won't want to miss! Register today at http://www.iowacci.org/calendar/statewide_convention.htm |
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