Water Quality
Water Quality Issues
Agricultural applications of fertilizers and pesticides have increased dramatically since the middle 1960s and the impact of agrochemicals on water quality has become a serious environmental concern. Read more about Water Quality Issues
Program Information
CREP is a major state/federal initiative to restore wetlands which are strategically located using advanced GIS technology and designed to remove nitrate from tile-drainage water in cropland areas. Removal of nitrate from these waters helps protect drinking water supplies and reduce hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico. Read more about Program Information
Overview
The Iowa Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) is a joint effort of the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) and the USDA Farm Service Agency in cooperation with local Soil and Water Conservation Districts that provides incentives to landowners to voluntarily restore wetlands targeted for water quality improvement in the heavily tile-drained regions of Iowa. Read more about Overview