State Argues Before Iowa Supreme Court for Dismissal of Raccoon River Pollution Suit
Attorneys debated before the Iowa Supreme Court on Wednesday a move by the state to dismiss a lawsuit by two environmental groups contending it has failed to do enough to curb pollution flowing into the Raccoon River from farms and livestock operations.
Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement and Food & Water Watch sued state agencies, boards and officials last year, arguing they had abdicated their responsibility to protect residents' right to clean water, under the public trust doctrine.
The groups claim the state has allowed rapid expansion of hog farms and placed few restrictions on pollution from agricultural operations, allowing bacteria, nitrates and phosphorous from manure and fertilizer to run off into the river.
Wide sandbars reveal low water levels at the confluence of the Raccoon River and Des Moines River on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2020, in Des Moines.
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Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement and Food & Water Watch sued state agencies, boards and officials last year, arguing they had abdicated their responsibility to protect residents' right to clean water, under the public trust doctrine.
The groups claim the state has allowed rapid expansion of hog farms and placed few restrictions on pollution from agricultural operations, allowing bacteria, nitrates and phosphorous from manure and fertilizer to run off into the river.
Wide sandbars reveal low water levels at the confluence of the Raccoon River and Des Moines River on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2020, in Des Moines.
Click Here to read more.