Many factory farms in Iowa, spray liquid waste manure on the snow and frozen ground in the winter months instead of taking steps to responsibly store and disperse their manure. Because it can't soak in to the frozen ground, the manure, often filled with pesticides and other chemicals given to the animals, runs into the water and contaminates it.
This action and content is found via - Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement although this petition has more key officials.
Photo Credit: Iowa CC
STOP factory farms from spreading manure
Dear Official,
Research shows that Iowa has the highest concentration of factory farms in the country, and I have recently learned that, due to a loophole, many are allowed to spray manure on snow or frozen ground. This practice is contaminating Iowa's rives and streams. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources estimates that there are more than 540 rivers with poor water quality partly due to this issue. Recently a farm spraying liquid manure on a frozen field contaminated a nearby stream and killed more than 2,000 fish. There have been over 700 manure spills since 1995.
It is time to stop this practice. Farms must find responsible ways of disposing of the waste they produce. It is unconscionable to allow a few to destroy Iowa's rivers. Now that you have been elected, you must pass an executive order closing this loophole and ending this practice.
On behalf of Iowa - please ACT now!
With hope and determination,
[Your name]