Greetings from Under the Golden Dome

Iowa State Senator Tim Kapucian

Here’s a story I just wouldn’t believe if I hadn’t been here! As most of you know, we are working on a major project to reduce nutrient runoff into our lakes and streams in Iowa. It is important that we keep the soil where it is and efficiently manage the soil fertility. As a farmer, one thing that makes me cringe is to watch good top soil flow down a waterway to become silt, where it only serves to create problems. Not only did it take thousands of years to create that soil, but that soil also carries nutrients like phosphate, potash, and nitrogen. These critical nutrients for plant production now become pollution in our rivers.

This being the case, you can imagine how shocked I was to hear the Army Corps of Engineers is planning to pump silt into the Missouri River. They are calling it the Missouri “silt deficient.” Apparently the flood that devastated Western Iowa in 2011 also scoured the riverbed and the silt has been washed downstream. In other words, the Corps says the Missouri River is too clean. Their reasoning is to restore habitat for the pallid sturgeon and two bird species. Now, I understand the need for wildlife habitat, especially endangered species, however, I urge the Corps to search for an alternative that doesn’t involve trying to fix one problem by adding to another.

I applaud the Iowa Corn and Soybean Associations for taking an active role in urging the Corps of Engineers to find an alternative solution. You can also be assured that my colleagues and I will continue to do the same here at the Capitol. I hope that together we can manage the river habitat without increasing the nutrient load. I’m optimistic that session will wind up soon.

See you out and about the district.