Significant MEJA cases:

• Cleaning up impaired waters:

MEJA represented SAILORS, Inc. (Save All Iowa Lakes, Oxbows, Rivers and Streams) and Mississippi River Revival in a suit brought against EPA to enforce the Clean Water Act requirements regarding impaired waters.  Iowa had not fulfilled its obligation to conduct studies of waters listed on the impaired waters list (157 waterbody segments, at the time we brought suit).  As a result of this litigation, Iowa agreed to do studies on these impaired waters.  The studies, called Total Maximum Daily Load (or TMDL) calculations, look for the cause of the impairment of each stream, river, or lake, and then determine what can be done to stop the impairment.  MEJA continues to monitor compliance with the agreed upon schedule of TMDLs.

For more information on the schedule of TMDLs, see http://www.iowadnr.com/water/tmdlwqa/tmdl/implement.html

For more information on the TMDL consent decree, see http://www.epa.gov/region07/water/tmdl.htm

• Protecting fragile resources:

MEJA represents the Linn County Conservation Board in an effort to protect the Rock Island Botanical Preserve from the effects of the planned extension of Highway 100 through the area.  The Rock Island preserve contains one of the last sand prairie remnant in Iowa and provides habitat for wildlife such as the byssus skipper, which is on the state's threatened species list.  One aspect of the case is now before the Iowa Supreme Court.

• Defending unique ecosystems:

MEJA represents Northeast Iowa Citizens for Clean Water, a group of farmers, ranchers, and other concerned citizens who live near Postville, in Allamakee County.  NICCW is concerned about a meat processing plant which discharges wastewater into Hecker Creek, a tributary of the Yellow River, which is an impaired water, a cold water trout stream, and is designated as a "High Quality Resource" water.  Hecker Creek is a losing stream, which means that much of the surface water "disappears" into the groundwater.  Iowa granted the meat processing plant two variances from state law, which will allow the company to discharge into the creek 880,000 gallons of wastewater per day, containing high concentrations of dissolved salt.  MEJA challenged the permit, and the case is now pending in Polk County district court.  In addition, the company has violated its previous treatment agreement numerous times over the last six years and MEJA has filed a notice that it intends to seek penalties for those violations, which have degraded the sensitive aquatic environment and have threatened drinking water wells.

Penalty case against City of Postville settled for $100,000.

Latest Developments!!!

Polk County District Court reverses variances challenged by MEJA.

In late June 2005, Judge Eliza Ovrum granted MEJA's motion to overrule the water quality variances IDNR issued to Agriprocessors, Inc. of Postville, Iowa. MEJA challenged the permit on behalf of Northeast Iowa Citizens for Clean Water.

To read a copy of the court's ruling, right click on "ruling document" below and select "save target as" to download the document to your computer.

Ruling Document

MEJA joins battle over lax Water Quality Standards

MEJA has agreed to represent Northeast Iowa Citizens for Clean Water and the Iowa Environmental Council in a suit challenging EPA's recent approval of  Iowa's new Total Dissolved Solids standard. The new rule relaxes the pre-existing standard for this pollutant and is not protective of aquatic life in Iowa's waters. Here is the complaint filed in federal court in Des Moines. Click here to read the TDS complaint.

In addition, MEJA has consulted on cases involving Historic Preservation, preservation of the Loess Hills, and many other environmental matters.