News Environment
Funding Fact Sheet: IDALS gets $8 million in funding

The USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) has allocated $8 million toward the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) in order to extend current water quality projects in priority watersheds. Affected areas include the North Raccoon, Boone, Middle Cedar and South Skunk Rivers.

The Iowa Partners for Natural Infrastructure Project proposes to add 35 wetlands and 200 edge-of-field practices in priority watersheds in Iowa. Once they are installed, these practices will reduce an estimated 500,000 pounds of nitrogen per year. They also have the potential to sequester about two million pounds of carbon.

Key partners providing additional financial and technical support for the Iowa Partners for Natural Infrastructure Project will be provided by Ducks Unlimited, Inc., Northeast Iowa Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D), the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Sand County Foundation, Agricultural Drainage Management Coalition and Agri Drain Corporation.

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is currently leading or participating in 13 RCPPs, including four RCPPs that received more than $40 million in federal funding in 2021. Working alongside its public and private partners, the Department has made progress towards achieving the goals outlined in the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. The Department recently celebrated the completion of the 100th CREP-funded wetland in Buena Vista County. To date, there are at least 110 known, completed wetlands in the state. The Department and its partners have also helped add at least 41 saturated buffers and 15 bioreactors this year.