Asking former Big Ag lobbyist, Farm Bureau, and CAFO darling Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig what should be done to improve Iowa’ dismal water quality is like asking two wolves and a lamb what should be for dinner. Depending on Iowa farmers to follow the voluntary 2013 Nutrient Reduction Strategy, which costs them time, money and profit as they are being tariffed to death is a pipe dream as well. Naig correctly points out that farmer mitigation activities have increased, often subsidized, and good on those who are trying. But despite claims from the Iowa GOP and Ag Industry mouthpieces, (but I repeat myself) most Iowa water bodies and streams are NOT improving. It’s no secret about the nitrate and fecal matter sewers our Iowa waters have become. Nitrate mitigation in city water treatment centers is costing urban residents millions, and at least 7000 Iowa wells are nitrate compromised. Iowa manufacturers dumping effluent into nearby streams will be in court. If I decide to forego a septic field on my rural property and run our sewage into the nearby creek, a common practice until the 1950’s, I will have a date with a judge as well. Not so with the millions of field tile outlets across the state. Sorry farmers, but your right to “urinate in the creek” stops where I get my water. Everyone is downstream of someone; ask the Gulf states who border the “dead zone”, which Iowa runoff is at least 25% responsible for. Bottom line is taxpayers will no doubt have to help farmers mitigate waterway protection. We are always number 1 or 2 in ag subsidies anyway, and at least this action will improve everyone’s quality of life.
Iowans spent 2.8 billion dollars in 2024 on sports betting. Perhaps to fund water quality efforts there should be an annual betting pool on what the timeframe will be between the ice going out and Backbone and McBride’s beaches being labeled “Unsafe due to e coli”? (Interpretation: “Crap in the Creek”)
Vote Chris Jones for Secretary of Agriculture if you want to begin to fix this problem.
Kevin Woods
Mount Vernon