 Decreasing Nutrient Runoff from Iowa Farms to Improve Water Quality Everywhere from Local Sources in Iowa to the Dead Zone in the Gulf of Mexico

Gulf of Mexico dead zone Commercial fertilizers are the leading cause of nutrients that cause dead zones Dead zone represents a major problem for commercial and recreational fishing in the gulf Outside the State Water quality is the #1 environmental concern of 90% of the state's population Every county in Iowa has impaired water Within the State The Problem Credit: USGS Credit: The Institute for Southern Studies

Credit: Mississippi River Watershed Alliance  Only 6.6% of Iowa’s farmland involved in “conservation or wetland programs”

The Solutions Reduce soil erosion and runoff Keep nutrients from entering local water supplies Increase wetlands and buffers in order to capture nutrients and keep them out of the water supply Utilize environmentally friendly agricultural techniques (which will not affect yield) improved local water supplies Decreased nutrient levels entering local water supplies Decreased dead zone in the gulf coast Nutrients don't reach the gulf because they are kept out of the water supply

Financing Options Government supported programs No interest loans Programs to pay for land used for conservation Farming Techniques Riparian Buffer Contour Farming Contour Buffer Strips No-till Agriculture Constructed Wetlands