COUNCIL BLUFFS — The Iowa DNR’s Air Quality Bureau is seeking public comments on a draft plan to meet federal air quality standards for lead in the Council Bluffs area. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designated part of Council Bluffs as a nonattainment area for lead in November 2011, three years after EPA substantially reduced the permissible lead levels allowed in air. The public is invited to submit oral or written comments on the draft plan at a public hearing at 10:30 a.m., Dec. 22 at the Council Bluffs Public Library, 400 Willow Ave.

The DNR worked with two lead-emitting facilities, Griffin Pipe Products Co. LLC and Alter Metal Recycling, to develop air pollution control measures that will quickly reduce ambient air impacts of lead emissions and meet federal air quality standards in the nonattainment area.

The control strategy will reduce lead emissions from Alter Metal Recycling by nearly 95 percent, primarily through cleaning and sweeping haul roads. Griffin Pipe will use similar practices and continue to operate existing control equipment. The control strategy also provides Griffin Pipe flexibility in their method of operation while maintaining public health protections for lead.

Details of the strategy for the lead nonattainment area in Council Bluffs can be reviewed in the draft state implementation plan (SIP) at the Council Bluffs library, at the DNR-Air Quality Bureau in Windsor Heights or on the DNR’s website under Stakeholder Involvement, Public Input at
www.iowadnr.gov/InsideDNR/RegulatoryAir.aspx

Submit written comments on the proposed plan by 4:30 p.m. Dec. 22, to Matthew Johnson, DNR Air Quality Bureau, 7900 Hickman Road, Suite 1, Windsor Heights, IA 50324. Or, fax comments to 515-725-9501 or email Matthew.Johnson@dnr.iowa.gov.