Posted Oct. 28, 2013

Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds joined Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey and Department of Natural Resources Director Chuck Gipp today for the launch of www.CleanWaterIowa.org, a new web site that will serve as a resource to help Iowans protect and improve water quality.

“Iowans can take steps to help improve Iowa’s water quality and this site serves as a one-stop-shop for conservation practices we can all use, whether it is on the farm, at a business or by a homeowner,” said Branstad.

The site has “Farm,” “Residential & Urban,” and “City & Industry” sections that provide information about science-based practices that can be implemented to improve water quality. The site includes descriptions of water quality practices that can be utilized, benefits of the practices, and links to additional information.

“This site is one of the resources available to help Iowans achieve the goals outlined in the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy,” said Reynolds. “Working together and everyone doing their part will help us continue to make significant water quality improvements.”

Success stories, information on upcoming events and education materials also will be available on the site. Iowans also are invited to share their water quality success stories as well.

“It is an exciting time and we are seeing a tremendous amount of interest in water quality practices from Iowans across the state,” said Northey. “Farmers are engaged and we are in a scaling up phase as we get these science-based practices on more and more acres.”

In addition to the web site, Iowans can follow @CleanWaterIowa on Twitter or “like” the page on Facebook to receive updates and other information about the ongoing Iowa water quality initiative.

Northey announced in August that Iowa farmers submitted applications for $2.8 million in cost share funding available to help implement new nutrient reduction practices on their farm. The funds were available to help farmers try new practices targeted at protecting water quality. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship received applications covering 120,680 acres from 1,096 different farmers seeking to participate in the program.