Iowa farm groups to support water quality alliance

Three Iowa farm groups launched a new group Monday charged with accelerating the pace and scale of water-quality improvements across the state.

Still, some environmental leaders expressed doubt the approach would be strong enough.

“It looks like a step ahead, but it could be a baby step compared to the bold action that’s needed to improve Iowa’s water quality,” said Craig Cox, a senior vice president at the Environmental Working Group.

The Iowa corn growers, soybean and pork producers associations are each providing $200,000 annually to support the new Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance, said Kirk Leeds, CEO of the Iowa Soybean Association. The farm groups tapped Sean McMahon, who leads the Nature Conservancy’s North American agriculture program, to lead the initiative.

McMahon said the alliance can make “meaningful and substantial improvements to water quality in Iowa” and stave off efforts to regulate the state’s nearly 90,000 farmers, many of whom raise corn and soybeans. Iowa is the nation’s top producer of corn and is second in soybean production.

Some environmental groups have sought regulations to force Iowa farmers to adopt conservation measures that can cut the nitrogen and phosphorus, which contribute to the Gulf of Mexico’s dead zone as well as harm Iowa’s drinking water.

The state’s Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy is designed to cut nutrients by 45 percent, but it is voluntary and has no time line.

Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, a group that’s advocated for stricter regulation of livestock operations, quickly criticized the initiative.

“The Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy will not lead to real improvements in Iowa’s polluted water quality unless and until it is strengthened with measurable and enforceable water quality standards and tougher and more effective public oversight,” said member Larry Ginter, a Rhodes farmer. “That’s the bottom line, and all the corporate ag PR campaigns in the world isn’t going to change that very basic fact.”

Bill Stowe, CEO of the Des Moines Water Works, said McMahon’s environmental chops “could bring a bring a different perspective” than past efforts that have led to “no substantive change.”

David Osterberg, founder of the Iowa Policy Project, an Iowa City research nonprofit, said it’s hard to take the alliance seriously when it makes the announcement with Branstad, who vetoed about $11 million in water quality improvement spending this year.

“The governor has already showed his support with his vetoes,” said Osterberg, who released a report last month pushing for state regulations that require farmers to adopt at least two conservation practices from a suite of options. He also recommended the state find a steady stream of conservation funding.

Branstad defended his veto, saying he had to protect taxpayers in the state from overspending and included cuts to programs he supports. And he said he has provided a 26 percent increase in funding for water quality initiatives since taking office.

His gubernatorial opponent, state Sen. Jack Hatch, said he supports the alliance and its efforts.

Donnelle Eller is a reporter for The Des Moines Register and can be reached at deller@dmreg.com.