Whole story: Farmers see progress on water quality
The March 13 Register editorial, "Not enough was done to avoid water lawsuit," was right to point out the disappointment and missed opportunity, but the disappointment lies with the "hair-trigger" litigious approach by Des Moines Water Works. It's also disappointing that the Register missed an opportunity to report the progress that has been made, even in the DMWW's own watershed.
DMWW's own data shows a downward trend of nitrates in the Raccoon River, going as far back as at least 2006: www.iowafarmbureau.com/articles/136672/wet-weather- is-still-the-most-likely-reason-for-seasonal -nitrate-spikes. Progress continues today, with 16 more targeted demonstration projects, which you can read about at www.cleanwater iowa.org/demonstration-projects.aspx These collaborative efforts are happening elsewhere because 95 organizations are behind them, including Farm Bureau, with farmers and local partners leveraging more than $11.8 million of their funds with more than $7.5 million in state funding.
MORE:Read more views, news reports on water quality
Progress comes when farmers roll up their sleeves and seek solutions. They've been doing this for years. They voluntarily spend tens of millions of dollars out of their own pockets each year, to do right by the land and take great pride in seeing results. Results are imperative to the long-term success of their farm. But one type of conservation practice won't work on every farm, for every terrain, for every crop they grow. Finding the best fit for their farm doesn't happen in two months or two years. When it comes to changes in water quality, scientists say it can take decades.
It's understandable that DMWW's aging infrastructure, including its 23-year-old nitrate removal system, is in need of repair. In addition to being dated, it's also servicing more communities than it was designed to handle. It needs an upgrade.
Iowa farmers understand the need to upgrade and innovate; conservation practices that worked 20 years ago may not be as effective, considering today's changing weather patterns or evolving consumer demands. That's why farmers have spent more than $11 million out of their own pockets in recent years to upgrade their conservation practices where necessary; far more than the half million dollars that DMWW officials say they've spent this winter to remove nitrates, which, when spread among its half-million rate-payers, amounts to a great bargain at just over a dollar per household.
Consumers deserve a comprehensive approach to water quality that includes getting all players at the table to find long-term solutions. The Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy does that, and stands as a national model by farmers, environmentalists and administrators. EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy's praise of the strategy and the numerous conservation efforts being done in other urban watersheds are worthy of coverage, especially considering that the educational tool was made available to farmers just two short years ago.
The collaborative work between urban districts and farmers being done in other watersheds such as Rathbun Lake, Cedar Rapids and Dubuque could easily be done in Des Moines. Projects sponsored by Agriculture's Clean Water Alliance, along with conservation districts in Buena Vista, Calhoun and Sac counties, just received grants in December totaling nearly $856,000 to do various watershed projects and more than $1 million in matching funds were committed to leverage the state's grant. Nearly 20 partners came together to make it happen — from farm organizations and higher education to private organizations and government. Unfortunately, Register readers aren't learning about those efforts here.
The Register's recent editorial also ignores the true outcomes of a regulatory or permit-driven mandate, as evidenced by DMWW's recent application to renew its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit. This permit allows the city utility to continue its desired practice of disposing the nitrates it removes back into the Raccoon River. Again, that approach is no solution to water quality.
Water quality improvement in Iowa takes time. It takes work. It takes commitment and collaboration, especially if our end goal is to continue to provide safe drinking water and safe, healthy food choices. All Iowans are stakeholders in this long-term process, and they deserve better. For starters, they deserve the whole story.
CRAIG HILL of Milo is president of the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation and a farmer. Contact: chill@ifbf.org