Cedar River watershed partnership is a model for the state

My years spent serving on boards of various agricultural associations has afforded me the opportunity to work with many great farmers who have been striving to improve farming practices for decades. Although we've come a long way, we can all agree there still is much to be done - especially in the areas of soil and water quality. I'd like to highlight an Eastern Iowa water quality effort that could be used as a model for the rest of the state.

Cedar Rapids is a remarkable example of the type of positive urban/rural partnership we need in order to keep Iowa agriculture moving in the right direction in regards to soil and water quality. Its recent $4.3 million project directed toward water quality efforts in the Cedar River watershed is built around collaborative efforts to increase the usage of proven nutrient management practices. I applaud Steve Hershner, Cedar Rapids Utilities Director, Mayor Corbett, and other community leaders for promoting this project. The city of Cedar Rapids, statewide agriculture organizations, and Iowa farmers all have a stake in ensuring improved soil and water quality, and are stepping up their efforts to get the job done. I saw many fields this fall that had cover crops planted on them to hold the soil in place, this is just one of the many practices encouraged by this project and is rapidly being adopted by concerned farmers.

This type of collaborative effort is in the best interest of all Iowans. Improved water quality upstream achieved through similar efforts is a direct benefit to those who manage municipal water treatment facilities, and their customers. In fact, all Iowans benefit when farmers are not constrained by ill-conceived regulations that raise the cost of production, while not truly providing a solution to water quality concerns. Cedar Rapids is not alone, as many Iowa communities have a positive relationship with area farmers on similar efforts.

In contrast, a scenario is playing out in the central part of our state that many agree is a misguided approach at improving water quality. The Des Moines Water Works recently filed suit against three Northern Iowa counties claiming they have failed to manage nitrate levels in their drainage districts, adversely impacting the Des Moines Water Works customers downstream. If successful, this suit would result in farmers upstream purchasing costly permits to regulate nitrate runoff. This lawsuit could have far-reaching implications for all Iowa counties, while I fear it would do nothing to engage more farmers in nutrient management practices that have real, positive impacts on water quality.

I would like to encourage our friends and neighbors in Des Moines to look toward the east, and model their efforts on those taking place in Cedar Rapids. Our agricultural industry and consumers statewide will be much better off as a result.

' Marlyn Jorgensen is a Benton County farmer and President of the Benton County Economic development Group. Comments: (319) 477-5131