Iowa Waterways.

In the same book I referenced in the last post called Iowa Waterways, it gives a brief overview of the programs that are in place to help protect this precious resource. The 1985 federal Farm Bill was passed to help deal with agricultural activities that affect clean water. Iowa is the number one user of these bills.

The first part was the Swampbuster Provision. It protects waterways by saving wetlands that filter soil and chemical runoff. It makes it difficult for farmers to drain wetlands. The second part is called the Conservation Reserve Program. It pays farmers not to plant erodible areas to row crops, and instead maintain a cover that reduces bare and exposed soil to wind and water erosion. These also help provide a natural filter for field fertilizers to keep from running directly into waterways. In 1984, the Protected Water Areas program was enacted by the Iowa legislature. It helps protect more scenic waterways in Iowa.

This is a brief overview of the programs in place to help keep our water clean of agricultural runoff. Although it is a beginning, there still is a long way to go.