From the ground up

Guest Column
By: 
Dan Zumbach
Iowa State Senator, 48th Dist.

     Finding a water quality solution for Iowa is a priority this session. At the end of session last year, the Senate passed a water quality bill - Senate File 512. This bill was passed by the House of Representatives this week and has been moved to the Governor’s desk for her signature. This legislation provides a long term, dedicated funding source for voluntary water quality improvement efforts and creates programs to address industrial, municipal, natural, and agricultural sources of nutrient runoff into Iowa’s water.

     I know many of Iowa’s farmers have already taken the lead by voluntarily funding tactics to reduce nutrient runoff in the water out of their own pockets. A recent poll by Iowa State University found overall spending by Iowa farmers, including cost-share from government or other sources, was potentially as high as $2.2 billion (yes, BILLION) spanning a ten-year period.

     No one in Iowa cares more about water quality or our land than our Iowa farmers. They are the stewards of this land. Iowa farmers have long been the leaders in water quality improvements and I expect it will continue.

     Secretary Northey released the Iowa Water Quality Initiative 2018 Legislative Report this week stating his excitement to see significant growth in the water quality efforts underway statewide in both rural and urban areas.

     The eight-page report highlights key progress on water quality efforts underway:

     • 56 existing demonstration projects located across the state to help implement and demonstrate water quality practices through the initiative.

     • A record level of funding ($4.8 million) was obligated to match the $8.7 million farmer/landowner investment to install cover crops and other in-field practices to reduce nutrient loss.

     • First-of-its-kind cover crop-crop insurance partnership was launched with USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) to expand and build upon cover crop usage in the state.

     • Secured more than $250,000 in contributions from private entities to advance WQI-based projects.

     • New public-private partnership with two companies was created to help advance conservation planning in three targeted watersheds.

     • A comprehensive accounting of activities underway to support the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy can be found at nutrientstrategy.iastate.edu/documents

     In our Transportation Committee, I have subcommittee meetings next week that address phone usage, including texting while driving a commercial vehicle, and the administration of driving skills tests required for a commercial driver license.

     In other business, I continue to work on the rural broadband bill, which will ensure high-speed Internet access Iowa in both urban and rural areas.

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