This week in Iowa organizing…

Written By Katie Bryan

I'll spare you the details, but this morning was spent with multiple computer issues that still may not be resolved so let's just cut to the chase - please read on for ways to plug into the work, upcoming hearings on water, and more!

Onward,

 

Matthew Covington
Strategic Operations Director

Take action

Defeat the Cancer Gag Act (again)

Thanks to all of you who joined us last week on Zoom to discuss ways we can keep Bayer's "Cancer Gag Act" dead! A key theme that was brought up was getting more and more people aware and engaged in this work.

That's why we'll be knocking doors in key legislative districts this week and next. We want to engage people and collect petition signatures to remind our elected officials they need to put Iowans' health over corporate profits!

Check out the upcoming dates, times, and locations below then RSVP to join us!

September 23: Organizing 101

Have you ever seen a problem in your community and wished you could do something about it? Maybe talked to a neighbor or two about their thoughts on it, but didn't know what to do next? 

Join us for an interactive workshop to learn about community organizing - the practice CCI uses to build power with and for everyday Iowans to tackle the issues we face. Tuesday, Sept. 23 at 6pm over Zoom - RSVP here.

We know the solutions we need to the issues we face. And we know that by working together, change is possible - that's community organizing!

Tell your U.S. Representative - oppose the PERMIT Act

Legislation is pending in the U.S. House of Representatives, the Promoting Efficient Review for Modern Infrastructure Today Act (“PERMIT Act,” H.R. 3898). If passed by Congress, it would “PERMIT” more pollution to be discharged into Iowa’s waterways, threaten the health of Iowans, and remove protections from wetlands and streams that filter pollution and reduce flooding. 

Join our allies with the Environmental Law & Policy Center by emailing your Congressperson here.

You can read more about this dangerous legislation and why we're taking action here. 

CCI's fall book club & author events

We're back with another installment of Iowa CCI's book club! This time we picked Dodge County, Incorporated: Big Ag and the Undoing of Rural America, by Sonja Trom Eayrs, winner of the 2025 Midwest Book Award and a finalist for the 2025 Minnesota Book award. 

It's a well-timed read for anyone concerned with Iowa's escalating corporate ag-fueled water crisis and lack of action from elected leaders. And, it's a fitting read for our 50th anniversary, as Sonja's powerful personal account of fighting a hog factory in southern Minnesota mirrors that of CCI members' organizing to stop factory farms for the past three decades.

Click here to learn more about the book, then plan to join us for one of three opportunities to be in conversation with the author and fellow Iowans concerned about our land, water, and communities. 

Water Talk

Iowa DNR to host virtual public meetings, take public comment

The Iowa DNR is asking for feedback on Iowa’s water quality. This is a chance to share our water testing data, personal stories, and more with the agency that carries out state and federal laws that protect our air, land, and water. We invite all of you to provide public comments later this month.

Iowa DNR will host 2 virtual public meetings for a Triennial Review of water quality standards. “Under the Clean Water Act, a state shall, from time-to-time, hold public meetings for the purpose of reviewing applicable water quality standards and, as appropriate, modifying and adopting standards. This review includes, but is not necessarily limited to: designated uses, water quality criteria, and antidegradation.”

  • Mark your calendar for Sept 18 at 9:30am and Sept 23 at 2:30pm. Zoom links to join found here.

  • After the first session Sept 18 thru Oct. 20 - public comments can be submitted to wqs@dnr.iowa.gov. 

The water testing crew meets on the last Thursday of the month. Click here to get registered for our next monthly Zoom on Thursday, September 25 at 5pm.

Join CCI’s Citizen Science – click here for more info and to order a Nitrate Watch test kit.

Articles of interest

Iowa might not know if it's low on water until it's already happening

Humanity is rapidly depleting water and much of the world is getting drier

Why Iowa chooses not to clean up its polluted water

What We're Reading

These are a few links that are informing our work - we've shared them so that you can read, too!

  • Concerns about cancer and water follow Congress into session (by CCI member Barb Kalbach) [Indianola Independent Advocate]

  • The political upset that should haunt Zohran Mamdani [Politico]

  • What Medicaid cuts mean to one rural hospital [Barn Raiser]

  • Water pollution fight in Iowa hits snag as EPA removes rivers from 'impaired' list [Sentient Media]

  • The energy sector has spent hundreds of millions of dollars on lobbying this year. Watchdogs say that's only half the story [Inside Climate News]

Katie Bryan
Next

This week in Iowa organizing…