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More reaction to Iowa’s water lawsuit decision

Iowa ag leaders are hopeful that a state Supreme Court decision in the Des Moines Water Works lawsuit will lead to a more collaborative approach in addressing water quality issues.

Last week’s ruling prohibits the utility from seeking damages from drainage districts in three northwest Iowa counties targeted by the lawsuit.

Aaron Putze of the Iowa Soybean Association says there’s renewed optimism Des Moines Water Works will abandon the lawsuit.

“The decision does renew optimism that the utility is going to re-engage and work with landowners and farmers, as is being done in other communities across the state, to very positive ends,” Putze says.

Iowa ag secretary Bill Northey says the lawsuit has been a “needless distraction” from efforts to improve water quality.

“I think it causes us to make sure that we keep rolling along on the non-regulatory efforts we’re doing right now. To prove both in Iowa, but also federally, that we’re doing the right kinds of things on the farms—that we can get those done without regulations and without court actions,” Northey says.

The Iowa Supreme Court opinion does not resolve the federal Clean Water Act (CWA) issues still before the federal district court. Should the federal court rule in favor of Des Moines Water Works, drainage districts could be subject to permitting under the CWA.  The lawsuit is slated to be heard in late June.

Brownfield’s Tom Steever contributed to this story.

AUDIO: Aaron Putze

 

AUDIO: Bill Northey