MITCHELL, S.D. -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture is taking steps to limit agricultural runoff in the watershed that feeds the Mississippi River.
The department has money available -- some $320 million -- to help pay for the program, which should help ease the minds of farmers and ranchers in the region. At present, the agency is looking at the watersheds in 12 states, including Tennessee, Arkansas, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin. Overall, the targeted area includes more than 42 million acres.
USDA says agricultural runoff is putting too many nutrients into the river, and scientists say the runoff and sediment from those lands is causing problems in the Gulf of Mexico.
Although this project does not include South Dakota, it still has local interest.
In the Rushmore State and particularly in Davison County, we're a long way from the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. Still, farmland runoff has been the focus of troubles that annually arise in Lake Mitchell, which turns green with algae most summers.
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The Firesteel Creek/Lake Mitchell Watershed Project is attempting to reduce the amount of midsummer scum in the lake by offering assistance to upstream ag producers and landowners who undertake practices to keep nutrients out of the creek.
The Firesteel feeds Lake Mitchell. On its way to the lake, it passes through miles of farm and ranch land.
Funded by several public sources, the program already is making headway.
We are convinced that nutrient-rich runoff is the culprit behind Lake Mitchell's green hue.
We think clean water -- or at least cleaner water -- can be achieved through these public programs.
Clean water will only be achieved with the help of public funding.
It's good to see such projects surface.
