NALMS Supports Collaborative Water and Soil Enhancement Act
On behalf of the more than 750 members of the North American Lake Management Society (NALMS), the NALMS Board of Directors supports the Collaborative Water and Soil Enhancement Act of 2018, sponsored by Ohio Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge. Our scientists and lake managers are among the many professionals nationwide who provide high-quality scientific data related to lakes, ponds and other freshwater habitats that we depend on for a myriad of uses, including providing clean drinking water to millions of our citizens.
By providing more support for the management of nutrient and soil health, particularly targeting those areas in which nutrient runoff has created dead zones in downstream waters, the bill will also provide greater protections of drinking water sources that serve millions of citizens.
Effective management of nutrients is a critical component of sustainable agricultural practices by farmers, as well as the communities and ecosystems in and around agricultural regions of the U.S.
The bill would strengthen the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), two voluntary conservation programs in the Farm Bill. These programs provide incentives for nutrient management practices that improve soil health, and the goal would be to add at least 5 million new acres of land each year to the programs. Watersheds where nutrient delivery from runoff have created dead zones (in which hypoxia, or low oxygen conditions have been created) would be specifically targeted.
NALMS has a long-standing interest in providing the resources that help protect our lakes and watersheds. Our members include scientists, lake management professionals, and citizens, many of whom are lake volunteers in their communities.