Iowa Water
Governor Tom Vilsack has signed into law several measures intended to improve polluted waterways in Iowa. The measures set aside $18 million dollars for water cleanup efforts around the state and a long-awaited dredging project in Clear Lake. One of the bills signed clarifies new rules that will require more Iowa waterways to meet standards that make them safe for fishing and swimming.
The other bill includes $8.6 million for dredging projects and restoring ecosystems at 15 Iowa lakes. Clear Lake will get $4 million for its restoration project, Crystal Lake will get another $1.4 million, and Storm Lake will get $500,000.
The legislation will also make money available to communities that need to upgrade their wastewater treatment plants. A total of $4 million will be set aside for Iowa communities of less than 3,000 people to upgrade those facilities. The assistance will come in the form of grants that can be used to draw down matching federal dollars.
June 5, 2006 6:31 AM | Category: Politics