161G.3  Mississippi river basin healthy watersheds initiative.
  1.  The department shall implement a voluntary program to assist in improving the health of the Mississippi river basin, including water quality and wildlife habitat.
  2.  The department shall implement the program consistent with requirements of the United States department of agriculture in its administration of the Mississippi river basin healthy watersheds initiative.
  3.  To the extent allowed by the United States department of agriculture, the department of agriculture and land stewardship may do all of the following:
  a.  Provide for conservation systems that manage and optimize nitrogen and phosphorus within fields to minimize runoff and reduce downstream nutrient loading.
  b.  Assist agricultural producers with a system of practices that will control soil erosion, improve soil quality, restore and enhance wildlife habitat, and manage runoff and drainage water for improved water quality. 
  c.  Avoid, control, and trap nutrient runoff and maintain agricultural productivity.
  d.  Partner with landowners to implement a range of land stewardship practices, including but not limited to conservation tillage, nutrient management, and other innovative practices.
2010 Acts, ch 1191, §23
; 2012 Acts, ch 1023, §26