On March 10, the Des Moines Waterworks filed a lawsuit in federal court under the Clean Water Act against three Iowa counties and their drainage districts.  The Waterworks has been treating water to remove nitrates to achieve the drinking water standard of 10 ppm or less.  The lawsuit contends that drainage tiles have become conduits for nitrogen and phosphorus to flow into Iowa streams and waterways.  

 

Agricultural runoff is currently exempt from the Clean Water Act.  This lawsuit is precedent setting and if it prevails, it would potentially place agricultural lands that are drained into the same category as wastewater treatment plants and industrial dischargers, requiring permits that establish limits for nutrients in the water that leaves farmfields.  

 

In Iowa, millions will now likely be spent on a legal defense fund for agriculture in a lawsuit that may drag on for years.  In Illinois, we must continue to support our investment in innovative nutrient and water quality research through contributions to NREC from an assessment on fertilizer sales.  IFCA remains committed to the relationships and open dialogue we have established with water treatment offiials, state agencies, environmental groups and other ag groups in our efforts to reduce nutrient losses by increasing nutrient utilization with a 4R system of nutrient stewardship.  Shortly IFCA will officially launch a 4R Code of Practice and build upon our "Keep it 4R Crop" program that engages ag retailers, CCAs, universities and other nutrient stakeholders in our efforts to assess the effectiveness of 4R nutrient practices to minimize environmental impact, optimize harvest yields and maximize nutrient utilization.    

 

To view IFCA's recent activities in this area, please visit our website at www.ifca.com  or contact our office at 309.827.2774.  Please review the 4R Code of Practice on our website and don't miss an opportunity to visit with your customers about how you as their retailer can assist them in reducing nutrient losses and help IFCA account for and report to all stakeholders the number of acres embracing the 4Rs.