Good air quality protects the health and the environment of Iowans. Iowa’s air quality has significantly improved since 1990, with sulfur dioxide emissions down by 60 percent and nitrogen oxides decreasing by 43 percent. These positive developments have occurred even though the number of emission sources and industries has increased.

Forty years ago, 13 Iowa counties contained areas that could not meet national air quality standards. Today, only two counties are in nonattainment status, and they are working with the DNR to control emissions, reduce dust from roads, modify equipment and change operations. As a result, we can expect the downward trend in emissions to continue.

Find more on Iowa’s air quality trends at www.iowadnr.gov/airmonitoring.

Iowa, along with Minnesota, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas, is working to improve pollinator habitat along Interstate 35, a key migratory corridor for monarch butterflies. With proper plantings, the I-35 corridor can provide refuge and food for monarch butterflies and other pollinating insects.

 The goal is to ensure that Monarch butterflies and other pollinators are able to thrive, which ultimately benefits our food sources.

 Monarch butterflies born in late summer or early fall migrate south to winter in Mexico. In the spring, the butterflies return to the southern U.S. and lay eggs. Successive generations of Monarchs continue moving north which takes them along the I-35 corridor and into Canada. These Monarchs begin the cycle over again by completing a 2,000 mile trek back to Mexico.

 More on the pollinator strategy is available at www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2015/05/19/announcing-new-steps-promote-pollinator-health.

Our economy and quality of life depend on a healthy environment. That’s why we’re always looking for solutions to Iowa’s water quality challenges.

The Legislature established a Water Quality Initiative in 2013 as part of a strategy to reduce to nitrogen and phosphorus in our waterways by 45 percent. Over the last three years, more than 2,900 farmers have committed more than 294,000 acres to the cause.

During the 2016 session, legislators approved several initiatives to build on our ongoing water quality improvement efforts, including:

• Cleaning up the last of Iowa’s Leaking Underground Storage Tanks (HF 2464).
• Increasing penalties for illegal dumping (HF 2385).
• Committing $16.7 million from the Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund for water quality and lake restoration efforts (SF 2324).
• Providing $3.2 million for soil and water conservation projects through Iowa’s popular Resource Enhancement and Protection program (HF 2454).
• Approving $18.8 million in the Agriculture & Natural Resources Budget for water quality and soil conservation projects, research and facilities (HF 2454).

The Iowa Department of Agriculture is using $9.6 million to help implement the Water Quality Initiative this year. These funds allow the Department to continue pushing for improved farming practices through cost share assistance and intensive work in watersheds that need the most attention.

Last month, $3.8 million in cost share funds were awarded to help more than 1,900 farmers in 97 counties install cover crops, no-till or strip till, and other practices that prevent chemicals from making their way into our waterways. The $3.8 million in state funds will be matched by nearly $6 million from Iowa farmers.

Iowa also has 45 projects throughout the state to help implement and demonstrate good water quality practices. This includes 16 watershed projects, 22 urban water quality demonstration projects and seven projects focused on expanding water quality practices. More than 100 participating organizations are providing $19.3 million to supplement more than $12 million from the state.

Other water quality funding includes $35 million in state revolving loan funds for clean water and waste water projects. When you add in federal funding, more than $350 million has gone to programs with water quality benefits in the last year.