Send in a comment on Iowa's strategy for reducing "nutrient" pollution

In November, a task force with members from several state agencies released a report (“Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy”) proposing a strategy for reducing some forms of water pollution in Iowa -- pollution containing nitrogen and phosphorus, in forms (so-called “nutrients”) that promote the growth of algae. The proliferation of these algae deplete the oxygen in surface waters, most notably in the Gulf of Mexico, at the mouth of the Mississippi River, where it has created an immense “dead zone” that is unable to support fish and shrimp.

The Iowa Environmental Council has studied this report and concluded that it “will fall short of creating significant, sustainable, statewide improvements in Iowa’s waters,” and specifically that “the strategy's approach for engaging farmers is neither substantially different nor better from what is already happening in Iowa.”

Until January 18, 2013, the state is accepting comments from the public concerning their report; you can submit them electronically at the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy Web site.