Farmers responsible for poor water quality

To the editor:

'A 1-cent sales tax earmarked for school construction would be extended 20 years but shared with programs to improve the state's water quality.” Thus begins the Jan. 6 leading Gazette article that pretty well put my mood as poor as our water quality ('Branstad: Shift some school tax money to water quality”).

What is ruining our water quality? Excessive nitrate levels in our rivers and streams. The nitrates come from nitrogen runoff from drainage of corn and bean fields. All of this can be prevented with proper land conservation practices.

My point is that our farmers have been supported very well in the past by government (our) tax dollars They have all but ruined our water supply through poor farming practices. Gov. Terry Branstad wants to tax everyone to pay for the farmers' sloppy practices. The farmers caused the damage, let them pay for the clean up.

Merle Ries

Cedar Rapids