For
immediate release:
Jan. 3, 2013
COMMENT PERIOD
EXTENDED ON NUTRIENT STRATEGY
MEDIA
CONTACTS: Kevin Baskins, DNR, at 515-281-8395 or Dustin Vande Hoef, IDALS, at
515-281-3375.
DES
MOINES – The public comment period for the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy has
been extended by two weeks until Jan. 18, 2013. The original 45-day comment
period was scheduled to close on Jan. 4.
It
has been the goal all along to have broad public input on the strategy and we
hope the two additional weeks will allow more Iowans to review the strategy and
provide comment. We have had some requests for an extension of the comment
period and hope those interested will take advantage of the additional time to
participate in the comment period, said DNR Director Chuck Gipp and Iowa
Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey.
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 (IDALS) and 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
Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa DNR and Iowa State
University have hosted two public meetings and hosted a webinar to educate
Iowans about the strategy and answer questions. The webinar has been archived
and can be viewed on the nutrient strategy website 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’s ongoing educational meetings.
As
of Jan. 2, more than 350 comments had been received on the
plan.
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