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Environmental groups criticize Iowa’s governor

Environmental activists in Iowa are accusing Governor Terry Branstad of undermining efforts to clean up the state’s waterways.

They say Branstad is lobbying on behalf of agricultural groups rather than advocating reforms to halt farm chemical runoff and manure spills in Iowa streams and rivers. 

Specifically, the groups say Branstad has interfered with negotiations between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources regarding clean water regulation in the state.  They cite a May 20th letter from the governor’s office to top EPA administrators insisting that federal regulators come to Iowa view conditions for themselves and meet with Branstad, other state officials, and leaders from Iowa’s agriculture industry.

The environmentalists say the Branstad administration bypassed the regional EPA office in Kansas City, which had negotiated directly with state officials about clean water regulations.

The groups behind the complaint are the Environmental Integrity Project, Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement and the Iowa Sierra Club.