DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s proposal to expand the usage of wetlands to help reduce the level of nitrates that enter our state’s waterways was recognized as part of the Farm Foundation’s 30-Year Challenge Policy Competition. The proposal was selected as the winning entry in the Competition for Natural Resources Challenge Area.
The Department’s proposal was recognized during the Farm Foundation 30-Year Policy Conference held at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, Oct. 27.
“Iowa farmers are committed to feeding the world and protecting our state’s water quality, and this proposal has the potential to help them become more effective at both,” Northey said. “By combining these wetlands with drainage systems, farmers are able remain productive while protecting water quality and creating habitat for wildlife.”
The initiative outlined in the Department’s proposal would build on a successful effort of the Iowa Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) that builds wetlands targeted to receive water from tile drainage that is underneath many Iowa farm fields. Research by Iowa State University has shown these wetlands remove 40-90% of the nitrate and 90+% of the herbicide in tile drainage water.
Currently, 72 of these wetlands have been restored or are under construction or design with funding from CREP. These restored and planned wetlands will treat the drainage for 86,000 acres of watershed in Iowa.
In an effort to get more of these wetlands on the ground, the Department’s proposal looks to work with newly-designed drainage districts. Updating Iowa’s drainage district systems to modern design standards will improve existing field tile systems to allow more rainfall to infiltrate into the soil. Improved infiltration reduces surface runoff, which in turn reduces soil erosion, sediment movement, and phosphorus transport to Iowa streams. Improved drainage systems are also expected to improve crop yield and productivity of farmland.
However, tile drainage is higher in nitrates. So, by out-letting this drainage into these targeted wetlands there is the potential for significant improvement in water quality. These wetlands also reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance wetland function and habitat.
“We know these wetlands are very effective in removing nitrates from tile drainage water and are excited about the potential to apply these principals to drainage districts in the state, with the goal of having a real impact on the water quality in Iowa and down stream,” Northey said.
For more information about the judging process and other winning entry please visit the Farm Foundation’s website at www.farmfoundation.org.
