The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Iowa State University have released the final Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy . The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) worked with Iowa State University over a two-year period to develop a draft strategy that was released for public comment period on November 19, 2012. Over 1,700 written comments were received from November 19, 2012 to January 18, 2013.
The Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy is a science and technology-based approach to assess and reduce nutrients delivered to Iowa waterways and the Gulf of Mexico. The Iowa strategy was developed in response to the 2008 Gulf Hypoxia Action Plan that calls for the 12 states along the Mississippi River to develop strategies to reduce nutrient loading to the Gulf of Mexico. The strategy will be used to develop operational plans through the Water Resources Coordinating council. The strategy is designed to direct efforts to reduce nutrients in surface water from both point sources, such as wastewater treatment plants and industrial facilities, and nonpoint sources, including farm fields and urban areas, in a scientific, reasonable and cost effective manner.