Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig has announced a new $1.94 million Water Quality Initiative project aimed at improving water quality in the Beaver Creek Watershed, which flows into the Des Moines River and includes areas in eastern Greene County. The three-year project, running from July 2025 through June 2028, will install nitrate-reducing conservation practices across Boone, Webster, Greene, Dallas, and Polk counties. The initiative includes bioreactors, saturated buffers, and oxbow restorations to reduce nutrient runoff into waterways. It will also promote cover crops through cost-share incentives to participating farmers. Naig says, “Iowans expect progress when it comes to water quality, and that’s exactly what this project helps to deliver. This partnership project is a great example of how we can bring farmers, landowners, and public and private partners together to accelerate this important work and be part of the solution.” The Boone County Soil and Water Conservation District will lead local implementation using the state’s “Batch and Build” model to streamline construction. This project builds upon previous successes in the watershed, which included the installation of 20 bioreactors and buffers, as well as 12 oxbow restorations. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) is contributing nearly $250,000 to the project, with support from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and other agencies. Landowners interested in participating in the endeavor should contact project coordinator Justin Grieff using the contact points included with this story on our website.
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Boone County Soil and Water Conservation District
Justin Grieff
515-236-3300
