Local officials, state farming advocates respond to lawsuit threat

Farming groups and local officials contend that local farming practices haven’t created rising nitrate levels in the Raccoon River.

Their comments come in response to a vote last week by the Des Moines Water Works to issue a 60-day notice of intent to file a lawsuit against Calhoun, Buena Vista and Sac counties under the U.S. Clean Water Act.

Board of Supervisors Chairman Gary Nicholson said if higher nitrate levels were found in the river, which is one of two DMWW uses as a water source, it’s more likely a result of recent weather cycles.

“It’s just the way things have been going the last few years,” Nicholson said, adding that last year was rainy, which may have washed out nitrates that concentrated in the soil during two drought years. “The concentration is so much more. “I just think it’s kind of Mother Nature’s way of doing things.”

Read more in the Jan. 14 edition of The Graphic-Advocate.