Feds Threaten to Assume Iowa Waterway Protection

In this April 30, 2002, file photo a commercial market hog stands in a pen in a hog lot near Panora, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)

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By Ellen Kurt

Story Created: Nov 13, 2012 at 7:48 AM CDT

Story Updated: Nov 13, 2012 at 7:48 AM CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has threatened to take over protection of Iowa's waterways from the state.

The Des Moines Register reports that a federal investigation shows the state has been lax in requiring that livestock operations follow rules to keep manure out of Iowa's creeks and rivers, ponds and lakes.

The EPA report says the state hasn't properly inspected livestock facilities and failed in its duties about half the time when responding to livestock pollution.

The Iowa Natural Resources Department says the EPA criticism is misplaced.

DNR spokesman Kevin Baskins says his agency has been encouraging compliance, rather than imposing fines and other penalties as punishment for failure to follow environmental rules. And Baskins says there's evidence the strategy is working.

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