(Le Mars) — Iowa Governor Terry Branstad stopped at a Plymouth County Farm to view how one local farmer is making a difference in reducing nitrate levels for ground water, and at the same time protecting the soil from eroding. Wednesday was recognized as “Earth Day” and Branstad signed a proclamation designating April 29th through May 6 as Soil and Water conservation Week. While signing the official document, behind Branstad, and serving as a backdrop, was an area with several terraces and grass waterways. Branstad says efforts that he witnessed Wednesday involving the Deep Creek watershed project where farmers have implemented grass waterways, buffer filter strips, terraces, and other conservation measures have proven to effectively reduce nitrate levels. The governor says he is disappointed in the Des Moines Water Works for filing a lawsuit against three northwest Iowa counties because of high nitrate levels. He says it only leads to hard feelings, and he says there is a better way.
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Branstad believes it is best to ask farmers to volunteer to implement conservation measures rather than to make the practice mandatory.
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Branstad says he is impressed with the conservation measures that Bob Puetz has implemented as part of his farming operation. Branstad explains he was in northwest Iowa for various other engagements, and was invited to see the various conservation measures which is why he chose Plymouth County to make the proclamation. More than a year ago Branstad held his annual Governor’s Pheasant Hunt in Plymouth County. At that time, Branstad and Bob Puetz hunted pheasants together. They share a common interest in preserving wildife habitat and pheasant hunting.
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