OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR 

Governor Terry E. Branstad < Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, November 19, 2012

CONTACT: Tim Albrecht, Governor's Office, 515-725-3517

Dustin Vande Hoef, IDALS, 515-281-3375 

Kevin Baskins, DNR, 515-281-8395

Brian Meyer, ISU, 515- 294-0706

 

 

Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy released for public comment

Strategy is a science and technology based approach to reducing nutrients to
Iowa waters and the Gulf of Mexico

 

(DES MOINES) - Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad today joined Iowa Secretary of
Agriculture Bill Northey and Director Chuck Gipp from the Iowa Department of
Natural Resources and Dr. John Lawrence from Iowa State University to
announce the release of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy for public
comment.

 

"Iowans care about our natural resources and want to protect them for future
generations." Branstad said. "This strategy keeps us at the forefront of
using voluntary, science-based practices to improve water quality in our
state, and is an important step forward."  

 

The Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy is a science and technology-based
approach to assess and reduce nutrients delivered to Iowa waterways and the
Gulf of Mexico.  The strategy outlines voluntary efforts to reduce nutrients
in surface water from both point sources, such as wastewater treatment
plants and industrial facilities, and nonpoint sources, including farm
fields and urban areas, in a scientific, reasonable and cost effective
manner.

 

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa Department of
Natural Resources (DNR) worked with Iowa State University over a two-year
period to develop the strategy.  The resulting strategy is the first time
such a comprehensive and integrated approach addressing both point and
nonpoint sources of nutrients has been completed..

 

The Iowa strategy has been developed in response to the 2008 Gulf Hypoxia
Action Plan that calls for the 12 states along the Mississippi River to
develop strategies to reduce nutrient loading to the Gulf of Mexico.  The
Iowa strategy follows the recommended framework provided by EPA in 2011 and
is only the second state to complete a statewide nutrient reduction
strategy.

 

"The strategy's science assessment provides a research-based foundation to
quantify the effectiveness of current practices for reducing nutrient losses
from the landscape," said John Lawrence, associate dean for extension and
outreach programs in ISU's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and
director of ISU Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension. "The assessment
reflects two years of work to evaluate and model the effects of the
practices by scientists from ISU, IDALS, DNR, USDA Agricultural Research
Service, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and other
institutions."

 

Iowans are invited to review the strategy and provide feedback during a 45
day comment period that starts today and will end on January 4, 2013.  The
full report, additional information and place for comments can be found at
www.nutrientstrategy.iastate.edu.

 

In addition, presentations will be made to farmers, certified crop advisors
and others in the agriculture industry as part of ISU Extension and Outreach
educational meetings beginning this fall. Thousands of people will learn of
the strategy, where to find more information and how to provide comments
about it.

 

Point Sources (DNR)

 

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will be working with major
facilities throughout the state to reduce nutrient discharges from point
sources to Iowa's waters with a goal of reducing total phosphorus by 16
percent and total nitrogen by 4 percent.

 

"The DNR has been working with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Iowa
State for nearly two years and support this strategy document and the
collaborative process that created it.  Many Iowans enjoy our state's
natural resources and it important we protect them for future generations,"
Gipp said.

 

Nonpoint Sources

 

To address nutrient transport from nonpoint sources the strategy uses a
comprehensive, first of its kind scientific assessment of conservation
practices and associated costs to reduce loading of nutrients to Iowa
surface waters.  The strategy identifies five key categories to focus the
efforts in addressing nonpoint sources and identifies multiple action items
within each category.

 

The five categories are: Setting Priorities; Documenting Progress; Research
and Technology; Strengthen Outreach, Education, Collaboration; and Funding.

 

By harnessing the collective innovation and capacity of Iowa agricultural
organizations, ag businesses and farmers the strategy takes a significant
step forward towards implementing practices to improve water and soil
quality.

 

"This strategy provides the most up-to-date scientific information available
to farmers as they seek to use the best practices available to reduce
nutrient delivery from their farm," Northey said.  "The goal of this
strategy is to get more conservation practices on the ground.  This is not
about rules or regulations, instead this strategy provides resources to
farmers to help them improve water quality."

 

###

 


- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
To unsubscribe from the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to:
[log in to unmask]

Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information:
http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp

Sign up to receive Sierra Club Insider, the flagship
e-newsletter. Sent out twice a month, it features the Club's
latest news and activities. Subscribe and view recent
editions at http://www.sierraclub.org/insider/