Nutrient Reduction Strategy Progress Report Released

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and Iowa State University unveiled an annual report of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy this week.

The report gives an update on currents efforts concerning the reduction of phosphorus and nitrogen levels from both point and nonpoint sources in the state. Some of the highlights of the report include:

• The latest reporting period finds that the number of outreach events focused on water quality have nearly doubled since last year.
• Public and private sector funding for Nutrient Reduction Strategy has risen to $420 million, which is an increase of $32 million when compared to the previous year.
• 300,000 cover crop acres were enrolled in government cost-share programs in 2016.

Water quality is expected to be at the forefront of the conversation at the Capitol next year. Gov. Reynolds and legislative leaders have indicated they would like to move legislation on this important topic early in the legislative session. Read a summary of the report and the DNR’s press release.