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."
|
||||
|
Recent Articles
Search
Login Daily Archive Categories
Powered by BlogHarbor
 |
Monday, June 30
ICCI Raises Environmental Questions About Flooding
by
Sam Garchik
on Mon 30 Jun 2008 06:00 PM CDT
Saturday, June 28
Food for thought on the Iowa floods
by
Sam Garchik
on Sat 28 Jun 2008 06:00 PM CDT
Food for thought on the Iowa floods
By Brad Johnson I think Friends of the Earth has a good response: http://foe.org/ If we don't have honest discussions about our failures of planning and the need to respect climate change when we rebuild, we're all in a heap of trouble. I hope what I've been writing doesn't sound too much like an "I told you so." That would be upsetting. I've been primarily trying to do two things -- sound the alarm and help people understand that we need to and can mobilize to minimize these kinds of disasters in the future. Chris, I think, wrote a well-balanced post: http://bleedingheartland.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=1567 Elanor also did a remarkable job trying to sound the warning about the potential toxicity of the floodwaters, and how because of the Bush administration, we're unprepared to deal with that, as well. http://www.ethicurean.com/2008/06/19/underinformed-and-underwater/ The Bush administration has been suppressing this kind of knowledge for the past eight years. They should be held accountable. For example, from a report on the climate-extreme-weather link released today by NOAA after years of delay: http://thinkprogress.org/wonkroom/2008/06/19/global-boiling-report/ "Some short-term actions taken to lessen the risk from extreme events can lead to increases in vulnerability to even larger extremes. For example, moderate flood control measures on a river can stimulate development in a now "safe" floodplain, only to see those new structures damaged when a very large flood occurs." Friday, June 27
IFL Offers Help for Flood Victims
by
Sam Garchik
on Fri 27 Jun 2008 06:00 PM CDT
IFL Offers Help for Flood Victims
By the IFL The floods of 2008 have been a disaster for Iowans and for some in the labor movement a tremendous burden. The Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL- CIO has a number of resources on our home page of our website www.iowaaflcio.org . The national Red Cross has assigned a labor liaison Verne Wagner has been assigned to Iowa and is working in the Cedar Rapids area. If you click on his name you can get information or paste http://www.iowaaflcio.org/june_20_Verne_Wagner.htm into your browser. The Hawkeye Labor Council, AFL-CIO in Cedar Rapids is asking for volunteers on Saturday, June 28 and Sunday, June 29 to work from 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM. show up at the Westdale Mall Parking Lot ? in front of the former Big Lots store. Those who would like assistance in cleaning up their homes and those who are able to volunteer, please call 396-8461. The link to their Press Release or copy and paste http://www.iowaaflcio.org/Hawkeye%20Labor%20-%20call%20for%20assistance.htm into your browser. We will be trying to assist those in need over the coming months in a variety of cities across Iowa. Thank you for what ever you can do to help these brothers and sisters in need. In solidarity, Ken Sagar, President, IFL 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 Wednesday, June 25
Call Your Senators to Stop Unconstitutional Surveillance
by
Sam Garchik
on Wed 25 Jun 2008 05:57 PM CDT
Call Your Senators to Stop Unconstitutional Surveillance
By Sean Flaherty Your help is needed to protect our privacy rights. This week the Senate will vote on on a bill that would allow the Federal government to collect essentially any private information on American citizens. Call 202-224-3121 and ask to be connected to your Senators. Ask them to support a filibuster of HR 6304, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act amendments. Senator Feingold has a fact sheet on the FISA bill It isn't just liberals that see the danger of HR 6304; the right-wing John Birch Society opposes the bill. Please make a call today. The Senate could start voting on this as early as Wednesday June 25. Best, Sean Tuesday, June 24
Fallon's Flood Relief Work
by
Sam Garchik
on Tue 24 Jun 2008 05:55 PM CDT
Fallon's Flood Relief Work
By Ed Fallon I'd like to encourage all who are able to pitch-in with flood and tornado relief efforts. Iowans have always gone the extra mile to help others in time of need, and in my life I have never witnessed such a time of need as this. Lynn and I have focused our efforts in Des Moines' Birdland neighborhood. The devastation there is both incredible and eerily familiar. (Birdland was hit hard in 1993, too, and as I raised money for flood victims and helped with clean-up, I got a close-up look at the flood's full fury.) Today, Lynn and I and two former staffers (Brian Trapp and Avery Lund) worked on two houses, hauling out damaged property, sweeping and shoveling debris, and removing water-logged floor boards. While it's horrible to see the devastation to so many homes and lives, people's gratitude and the clear progress we are able to achieve inspire me to want to do as much as possible. So, if you would like to help at Birdland let me know. This type of hands-on work was always a big part of my "ministry" as a state legislator, and one silver lining in my primary loss is that I now have more time to help those in need directly. Thanks! Ed Fallon Monday, June 23
DFIA Annual Meeting at Democratic State Convention
by
Sam Garchik
on Mon 23 Jun 2008 05:52 PM CDT
DFIA Annual Meeting at Democratic State Convention
By Jeff Goetz Calling all Members and Supporters of Democracy for Iowa: Let's all get together for an Annual Meeting of DFIA at the Iowa Democratic Party 2008 State Convention on Saturday, June 28th at Hy-Vee Hall. Lets meet, organize, plan and of course, socialize. Feel free to contact Jeffrey Goetz at jeffreygoetz3@mchsi.com or 515/279-7888 for more info or if you want to help plan an agenda, etc. Look forward to seeing you all there. Jeff. Online! Event Date: Jun 28, 2008 Event Time: 8:00 AM Venue Name: Iowa Democratic Party 2008 State Convention Address: Hy-Vee Hall City: Des Moines State: IA Saturday, June 21
The REAL McCain
by
Sam Garchik
on Sat 21 Jun 2008 11:00 AM CDT
The REAL McCain
By Brave New Films Gas prices are hitting all-time highs. Our country is in the midst of a recession thanks in part to our crippling dependence on oil, so what's John McCain's plan? Will he hold the corporate leaders of the energy industry accountable when he addresses them today in Houston? Probably not, considering they are some of his biggest fund-raisers. The Center for Responsive Politics finds that McCain has accepted over $1 million from the oil and gas industry. Many of McCain's top advisers have lobbied for big oil, which is why he now acts in their best interests, opposing environmental legislation and alternative energy plans. And that's exactly why we want everyone to know The REAL McCain. Watch the video McCain is desperate to distance himself from President Bush. But according to the Center for American Progress Action Fund, McCain has received millions in donations from the same oil, coal, nuclear, chemical, utility, and auto companies that helped the Bush administration create its energy plan-a plan that has raised gasoline to $4 a gallon. Center for American Progress Action Fund McCain opposes environmental legislation Here's what you can do: Send this e-mail to ten of your friends, family members, and colleagues. Tell them to send it on to ten people they know. And don't forget to Digg it! Spread the word that McCain is taking major contributions from wealthy oil executives like Bob Mosbacher, just one of the special interest leaders he'll be addressing in Houston. Send the video others Digg it Make sure everyone gets to know The REAL McCain, subscribe to Brave New Films today. Subscribe to Brave New Films Yours, Robert Greenwald and the Brave New Team |
Blog for Iowa 
BFIA Writer's Guidelines We welcome Submissions Iowa Sites Child & Family Policy Center - Iowa Genetic Engineering Action Network Iowa Citizen Action Network - ICAN Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO Iowa Physicians for Social Responsibility Iowa Public Interest Research Group Midwest Environmental Justice Advocates Progressive Action for the Common Good Progressive Coalition of Central Iowa QCAD (Quad-Citians Affirming Diversity - GLBT) Iowa Blogs The Deprogrammer (Quad Cities) Iowa True Blue (Gordon Fischer's Blog) Iowa Voters for Open and Transparent Elections Political FalloutFight Iowa Rapid Response Network - Iowa
Iowans for Better Local TV
Air America
The Counterpoint
National FAIR: Fairness & Accuracy in Reporting
Media Matters for America
|
||
|
||||
