MEDIA CONTACT: Chuck Corell at (515) 281-4582 or chuck.corell@ dnr.iowa. gov

DES MOINES — The public is invited to comment on a proposal that would set goals for how clear Iowa ’s lake water must be to be suitable for swimmers.

The DNR’s goal for lakes is to be able to clearly see things about one yard below the surface. The proposed rule would apply to about 70 public and private lakes – all with an average depth of about nine feet (three meters or more).

Other goals set a limit on the amount of minute plants or algae that can be present in a lake. Too much algae can turn the water green, especially in the summer when excess nutrients wash into the lake from surrounding land.

The DNR will host the following six public hearings throughout Iowa to hear comments on this rule proposal. Any interested person is welcome to attend.

· Des Moines: Jan. 11, 10 a.m., Wallace State Office Building , fifth floor conference rooms, 502 E. Ninth St .

· Clear Lake : Jan. 13, 1 p.m., Clear Lake Public Library , 200 N. Fourth St .

· Atlantic: Jan. 14, 10 a.m., Atlantic Municipal Utilities, conference room, 15 W. Third St .

· Milford: Jan. 14, 6 p.m., Iowa Lakeside Laboratory, Waitt Building , 1838 Highway 86.

· Independence: Jan. 21, 10 a.m., Falcon Civic Center, 1305 Fifth Avenue NE

· Washington: Jan. 21, 4 p.m., Washington Public Library, Meeting Room B, 115 W. Washington St .

People may make oral or written comments at any of the public hearings. Written comments will also be accepted through Jan. 23. Send written comments to Chuck Corell, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Wallace State Office Building , 502 E. Ninth St. , Des Moines , IA 50319-0034 ; or by e-mail to chuck.corell@ dnr.iowa. gov