The bill establishes a new buffer strip program administered by the division of soil conservation and water quality within the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. This program aims to reduce soil erosion, manage nutrients, and improve surface water quality by encouraging landowners to establish permanent vegetation adjacent to waterways. The division will enter into cost-share agreements with landowners to enroll their land in the program, with specific criteria for participation, including land size, current use, and complementary conservation practices. Additionally, the department will provide signage for enrolled land to inform the public about the program's purpose.

To support the buffer strip program, the bill creates a buffer strip program fund, which will be managed by the division and financed through an annual appropriation of $5 million from the state’s general fund. The fund will consist of appropriated moneys and may include additional public or private contributions. Notably, the bill ensures that any unencumbered funds at the end of a fiscal year will remain available for future expenditures, thereby providing a stable financial foundation for the program's ongoing operations.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 12C.7