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IPPA provides support to the South Fork Maquoketa River Water Quality Project
Iowa
Iowa farmers are continually looking for new and better ways to safeguard Iowa's natural resources, which is why the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) is investing in the South Fork Maquoketa River Water Quality Project.
The IPPA will assist by providing funding to enhance the current water monitoring efforts for the project, as well as fund follow-up educational initiatives. "We make our living from the land and share the same vision as all Iowans--to keep our waters clean and safe," said John Vossberg, Chair of the IPPA Environmental Committee.
The South Fork Maquoketa Watershed consists of 36,446 acres of primarily agricultural land. About 52 percent of the watershed is in Buchanan County, 40 percent is in Fayette County and the remaining 8 percent is located in Delaware County.
The project is a collaborative effort between the IPPA, Buchanan, Fayette and Delaware county Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship--Division of Soil Conservation, Iowa Department of Natural Resources and EPA-- Section 319 of the Clean Water Act.
The goals of the project are to improve overall water quality within the South Fork Maquoketa Watershed and decrease the amount of impairments delivered to the Maquoketa River. "As farmers, we want a seat at the table in determining how we can work together to improve the watershed," said Vossberg.
"The project plans to work with watershed residents to implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) to reduce the amount of sediment and bacteria levels leaving the watershed and being transported to the river," said John Muench, vice chairman of the Buchanan County Soil and Water Conversation and a pork producer in the South Fork Water District.
"We are pleased to have the opportunity to work with the Iowa Pork Producers Association on the project. Water quality affects us daily, whether directly or in-directly. It is in all of our interests to try and voluntarily improve water quality, for the benefit of all," said Muench.
The project started in July of 2004 and will run for three years. The South Fork project is modeled after the Upper Maquoketa Watershed Project, where farmers have installed grass waterways, concrete manure storage systems, filter strips and have adopted no-till and nutrient management practices.
Other practices farmers are using to enhance and protect water quality include field contouring, timber stand improvement, tree planting, wetland restoration and stream bank stabilization. Financial incentives for farmers in the watershed area will be used to help implement more of these practices, and likewise, rural residents will be educated about private septic systems.
"The South Fork Maquoketa River Water Quality Project is just one of many watershed projects around the state," said Vossberg. "We encourage all farmers to be informed of best management practices and get involved in their local watershed efforts."
Date: 10/20/04
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