IOWA - Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig says a report from an environmental group is propaganda.
Naig made the comment after the group American Rivers listed the Raccoon River as one of the ten most endangered rivers in the country.
The head of Des Moines Water Works told the Iowa Capital Dispatch that the state faces a “catastrophe” if it doesn’t stop agricultural pollution in the Racoon River.
Plans are in place for a large-scale whitewater recreation spot where the Racoon and Des Moines rivers converge in Des Moines.
American Rivers listed the Raccoon River as the 9th most endangered river in the country in its annul rankings for 2021.
It noted the Raccoon River provides drinking water to 500,000 people, and has become increasingly contaminated by upstream factory farms and industrial agriculture.
The group's report said, "Iowa’s state agencies have refused to appropriately regulate pollution from factory farms.
The Capitol Dispatch quoted Naig from this week's recording of the Iowa PBS show "Iowa Press" as saying the American Rivers report is a "fundraising plea."
Naig also said, “We have work to do on improving water quality.”
American Rivers also listed the Lower Missouri River, which runs along Iowa's western border as the second most endangered river in the U.S.
The group blamed dams and levees for impacting the health of the river, which experienced massive flooding in 2019.
(Image from American Rivers Facebook page)