Indiana State Nutrient Reduction Strategy updated

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana State Department of Agriculture updated its State Nutrient Reduction Strategy — a statewide strategy designed to improve water quality in Indiana, the Great Lakes and beyond.

“This updated strategy underscores the important work being done in land stewardship,” said Don Lamb, director of the ISDA.

“There have been many achievements since the start of the strategy and by updating it will only strengthen our ability to achieve the goal of reducing excess nutrients in our waterways.”

The updated strategy was produced under the leadership of ISDA and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management with guidance provided by the Indiana Conservation Partnership and the SNRS workgroup.

The guiding principles of the strategy are:

• Encourage voluntary, incentive-based, practical and cost-effective actions.

• Use and strengthen existing regulatory and non-regulatory programs.

• Identify existing and additional funds needed and funding sources.

• Identify research needs.

• Identify opportunities for innovative, market-based solutions.

• Follow adaptive management.

“Indiana has put a premium on data to ensure we have a complete assessment of water health throughout the state,” said Clint Woods, IDEM commissioner.

“This guided plan gives us a strategic roadmap to better identify trends, address challenges and measure progress over time, including impactful approaches to address harmful algal blooms and hypoxia.”

Learn more at tinyurl.com/Indiana-SNRS. Comments can be sent to ISDANutrientReduction@isda.in.gov.