Residents in the Van Zante Creek watershed are invited to attend a community kickoff meeting to learn more about the Van Zante Creek Water Quality Improvement Project, a multi-year project aimed at reducing nutrient loss in the watershed.
The kickoff meeting is scheduled for 1 to 2:30 p.m. Thursday at the Sully Community Center in Sully. Refreshments will be provided.
The Van Zante Creek kickoff meeting will provide an overview of the project, which is being conducted in partnership with the Jasper and Marion Soil and Water Conservation Districts, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Iowa Soybean Council and Pathfinders RC&D. The project will engage producers and landowners in a variety of activities to improve the water quality of Van Zante Creek and adjoining areas of the South Skunk River.
The local partnership will work with all farmers in the watershed to reduce nutrient losses from agricultural land. A goal is proving voluntary efforts will reduce nutrient pollution in water to acceptable levels through education, monitoring, and treatment. Presentations will be given by local leaders involved in the project. A discussion and question-and-answer session will follow the presentations.
Funding for the Van Zante Creek Water Quality Improvement project is provided through a grant from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. Van Zante was one of eight watershed demonstration projects selected to receive $4.1 million in funding through the Iowa water quality initiative. For more information about the kickoff meeting, contact Watershed Coordinator Terry McNeely at (641) 842-5314.
The Water Quality Initiative was established in 2013 to begin implementation of the science and technology based measures detailed in the Nutrient Reduction Strategy. The WQI takes a multifaceted approach to accelerate the awareness and adoption of the practices highlighted in the NRS. Learn more at CleanWaterIowa.org.
