David Ekstrom Ames has reached an innovative agreement with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources that allows investment in conservation practices on farms to improve water quality and help the city’s water pollution control facility meet future, more stringent nutrient reduction requirements. Ames is Iowa’s fourth community to sign such an agreement. Dubuque, Cedar Rapids, and Storm Lake reached similar agreements last year. Sand County Foundation, a national agricultural conservation nonprofit, worked closely with these municipalities and the Iowa DNR to develop a model agreement that incentivizes cities and farmers within the same watersheds to address water quality together.
Storm Lake to Fund Farm Conservation
December 17, 2020 5:13 pm
Saga Communications
Storm Lake, IA (KICD) Iowa cities have the discharge from water plants regulated by the state. Conservation lawyer Bartlett Durand says Storm Lake is ready to spend money to clean up the water BEFORE it even enters the plant.
Durand says the funds might help farmers install conservation practices in the head waters of the Raccoon River.
Storm Lake is the third city in the state to try this approach, behind Dubuque and Cedar Rapids.
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