Private Lands, Public Benefits John Glenn Southern Iowa Farmer and Executive Director, Rathbun Regional Water Association

Lake Rathbun The most important water resource in south central Iowa

Farming and Water Quality Issues Rathbun Lake - 11,000 surface acres of water and 21,000 acres of public landRathbun Lake - 11,000 surface acres of water and 21,000 acres of public land Uses: Water supply, recreation, fish and wildlife habitat, flood control, down stream navigationUses: Water supply, recreation, fish and wildlife habitat, flood control, down stream navigation 354,000 acre watershed354,000 acre watershed Silting in 3 times faster than plannedSilting in 3 times faster than planned Reallocation of sediment storage impacts usesReallocation of sediment storage impacts uses Watershed currently has 52,000 acres of CRPWatershed currently has 52,000 acres of CRP

Changes needed in CRPChanges needed in CRP 1) Ease regulations to emphasize management on CRP such as grazing or harvest for biomass 2) More emphasis on critical placement of CRP acres with aid of buffer strips, riparian areas, and grassed waterways 3) Eliminate restrictions on small drainage areas and intermittent streams 4) Change eligibility requirements such as cropping history Farming and Water Quality Issues

Gully erosion in CRP field

Riparian buffer example

Farming and Water Quality Issues EQIP practices well received by field staff and farm operatorsEQIP practices well received by field staff and farm operators Practice components are very diverse and address many conservation issuesPractice components are very diverse and address many conservation issues Program resources very limited and restrict whole farm applicationsProgram resources very limited and restrict whole farm applications Need to create flexibility to work with other potential partners on joint projectsNeed to create flexibility to work with other potential partners on joint projects

On-road structures replace expensive bridges and stop sediment, nutrients, and pesticides from entering the lake Other benefits include wildlife habitat, fisheries, and a source of water for livestock