Iowa Secretary of Ag Bill Northey has requested $7.5 million for the Iowa Water Quality Initiative as part of the department’s fiscal 2016 and 2017 budget proposals. Governor Branstad vetoed the bill containing money for the initiative in the last fiscal cycle. Northey says the dollars would support new water quality practices and expanded work in targeted watersheds.

Northey also asked the Governor for $7.5 million for soil conservation cost share for each of the next two fiscal years.

Northey requested another $1.92 million in 2016 and 2017 to support the closure of 17 additional agriculture drainage wells in the state. He’s optimistic about a favorable outcome.