Iowa Public Radio
State attorneys want justices to dismiss the lawsuit, but attorneys for the groups behind the suit say the state constitution requires lawmakers to protect the public’s right to use the river for recreation and drinking water.
The Iowa Supreme Court heard oral arguments Wednesday in a case that challenges the legislature’s voluntary approach to regulating nutrient pollution in the Raccoon River from farm runoff.
Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement and Food & Water Watch filed the lawsuit in March 2019. They claim a water quality funding law passed 2018 that was centered on the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy does too little to reduce nutrient pollution from livestock manure and fertilizer and that the courts should require mandatory measures.