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Vilsack urges Iowa to ‘step up’ on water quality funding

During a visit to his home state of Iowa this week, U.S. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack urged state officials from both political parties to “step up” and address Iowa’s water quality issues.

“We have a serious problem with water quality and frankly all of us–all of us–are in some way accountable and responsible for that problem,” Vilsack said.

Vilsack said the USDA has committed a record amount of money this year to help finance on-the-farm conservation projects. And he cited “aggressive” water quality initiatives being implemented in other states, including neighboring Minnesota and Wisconsin.

“So we’re in the middle of this and that creates, I think, an additional responsibility for Iowa to move forward,” he said.

Iowa has a water quality initiative in place, but lawmakers and the governor have been unable to agree on long-term funding for the effort.

Vilsack promised to “forcefully” make the case that more action is necessary at the state level and warned of dire consequences for the state if policymakers fail to reach an agreement on water quality funding.

Radio Iowa contributed to this story.