Cleaning up Iowa's water

Comment period extended to January 18 -- Details [Iowa DNR website]

Iowans have until January 4 to review and comment on how the state could reduce nutrient loading from farms and sewage treatment plants in order to improve Iowa's water quality and to help shrink the dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico. The Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy was developed over the past two years by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Iowa State University. The report in three parts reviewed technology, science and policy considerations for reducing nutrients in surface water.

The Leopold Center has conducted research on many of the practices to improve water quality that were outlined in the report by the science team. Most recently, a farming system that results in improved water quality (among many other benefits) has captured national interest. More here.

The Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy, and how to provide comments, are on the ISU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences website at www.nutrientstrategy.iastate.edu. [Photo taken at the Bear Creek research site in Story County]