Soil and Water Conservation District recognized for exemplary efforts toward the Water Quality Initiative

Washington County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) received recognition for exemplary efforts toward the Water Quality Initiative on Sept. 3, 2014, at the 68th Annual Iowa Soil and Water Conservation Districts Commissioners Conference at the Sheraton Hotel in West Des Moines.

Last year, Iowa rolled out a plan to reduce nutrient losses to the Gulf of Mexico. Over the past year and a half, there has been an overwhelming response by the SWCDs and landowners across the state. Last year, $2.4 million dollars were obligated to first-time users of cover crops, reduced tillage practices and the use of nitropyrin in only 10 working days. Once again, this year, $1.4 million was obligated in only five working days to first-time users of conservation practices around the state.

The Washington County SWCD is a leader in utilizing the Water Quality Initiative (WQI) programs. In 2013, the district was one of the top three for most applications through the first year of the WQI Statewide effort. Again in 2014, the district had a terrific response and had the most applications of any SWCD.

The Washington County SWCD was also successful in being selected as one of the initial eight WQI Targeted Watershed Demonstration Projects. Their project, the West Fork Crooked Creek Water Quality and Soil Health Initiative, is off to a great start. The Washington County SWCD along with partners have continued to advance the implementation of cover crops and other practices as part of improving the water quality and soil health in Washington County.

For additional information contact Clare Lindahl, Executive Director with Conservation Districts of Iowa, phone: 515.289.8300, E-mail: clare.lindahl@cdiowa.org.