One of Iowa’s federal prosecutors says to expect more instances in which the feds step in to prosecute environmental violations in Iowa. Yesterday, Charles Larson — the U.S. Attorney for Iowa’s northern district — announced federal prosecutors had reached a settlement with a Kansas-based pipeline company involved in an ammonia spill nearly two years ago that killed millions of fish in a stream near Algona. Larson says he’s taken some steps to ensure his office can prosecute when “major” environmental crimes occur here. Larson says for the first time in history, there’s a criminal investigator in Iowa who is trained to probe environmental cases. In addition, Larson and his staff of federal agents and prosecutors have met with state environmental officials.Larson says state agents will be trained so they can help determine whether a case should be prosecuted in state or federal courts.Larson says his office won’t be “overly aggressive” but will be proactive, firm and fair when necessary. Jeffrey Vonk, director of the state Department of Natural Resources, says state fines for environmental violations aren’t as great as those in federal law, and that’s why when there are significant incidents, state officials plan to cooperate with the feds. Vonk says there’s a message to folks who do business in Iowa that state and federal officials consider Iowa’s environment valuable and “serious business.”
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