Letter to the Editor: It's time for a change in House District 55

(The following Letter to the Editor has been submitted by Tim Wagner of Decorah):

"Amidst all of the crazy political ads this election season, many key issues remain vital to our future.  One that stands out is our water, including our rivers, lakes, groundwater and drinking water.  Equally important is an accurate understanding of the background of Kayla Koether (candidate for IA House District 55), compared to the voting record of Iowa State Representative Mike Bergen, and what this means for you and your family.

First some background facts.  Iowa is experiencing an increasing water crisis that has spread far beyond our borders. A University of Iowa study published in April identified Iowa as the top contributor to the "dead zone" in the Gulf of Mexico, meaning Iowa sends down the river more topsoil and agricultural runoff than any other state in the Mississippi River watershed. That represents a lot of the farmer's money going down the river. The zone now encompasses more than 8,700 square miles of biologically dead water, meaning no life exists. Before that runoff hits the Mississippi, it's polluting our own rivers, lakes, and groundwater supplies.  Upwards of 70 percent of Iowa's surface waters, including our lakes and rivers, are considered somewhat or fully impaired by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The factors include exceedingly high amounts of nitrates, phosphorous, and soil erosion. That means they require extensive treatment before being used by humans or they are unsafe for swimming and boating. More of Iowa's lakes are becoming dangerously toxic from blue-green algae, a condition caused by agricultural runoff carrying excess nitrogen and e. coli bacteria (manure).

State data indicated that 30 percent of Iowa's 880 municipal water utilities in 2015 were struggling with increased levels of nitrates and other pollutants. A 2007 state-wide survey showed that 12 percent of all private wells in Iowa exceeded the federal standard for nitrate pollution of 10 mg/L, with some counties showing 30 percent in exceedance. Exposure to nitrate levels in drinking water even below the federal limit has been connected with birth defects, thyroid cancer, and bladder cancer. A report published in 2016 that studied 35,000 post-menopausal Iowa women from 1986-2010 showed increased incidents of bladder cancer from just four consecutive years of exposure to nitrates even down to 5 mg/L. (Personal note: My sister, who lived in southeast Iowa most of her adult life, died from bladder cancer in 2016. She was 68.)

In spite of claims by some, state data shows our water problems getting worse, not better. Yes, the Governor signed HF512 last session that allocates $282 million over 12 years, all for voluntary-type projects with no goals, benchmarks, or required water monitoring to gauge progress. $282 million is a pittance to what's required to fix an estimated $3 to $6 billion problem. To be clear, no water quality bill  would have gotten passed from this legislature were it not for tremendous pressure from the public, advocacy groups, and organizations like the Iowa Department of Public Health and the Iowa Association of Water Agencies. In other words, HF512 was partly passed so people running for reelection--like Governor Reynolds and Mike Bergen--could claim they're addressing the issue. Note Bergen's ads with the big headline "IMPROVING IOWA'S WATERS." His record doesn't support that claim.
 
With Mike Bergen's votes, this is the same party that has slashed the Iowa Department of Natural Resources' budget from $22 million in 2009 to $11 million in 2018, eliminated all funding for the nationally-renowned Leopold Center of Sustainable Agriculture, and has refused to implement the 3/8 of a cent sales tax to fund the Natural Resource and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund. This is the Fund established in 2010 by a state-wide citizen's ballot measure with 63 percent statewide approval. Recent polling shows that public approval at nearly 70 percent. The Fund would generate an estimated $185 million per year in Iowa for many types of conservation, water quality, and watershed improvement projects while costing the average household a night out for dinner. Iowa is the only one of four upper Mississippi River states with no such funding mechanism. Minnesota's generates an estimated $300 million annually and the results are visible throughout the entire state. I personally have met with Mike Bergen on this issue four times. Every time I get that familiar blank stare, a hand shake, and a "Thanks for reaching out." Then nothing--because Mike has no intent on crossing party bosses.

Kayla Koether is the candidate who will actually work to improve our water quality, along with our small towns, our public schools, our farm economy, our landscape, and protect public health. Her farm background taught her that certain farm practices actually improve soil health and water while keeping the soil on the farm where it belongs, and that working with the land instead of against it is actually more profitable, not less.

Kayla Koether doesn't want to be a seat holder for a specific party. She wants to be a public servant. It's time for that change in House District 55. Please vote for Kayla."