Electrocatalytic nitrate reduction (NO₃RR) is a promising strategy for simultaneous wastewater remediation and decentralized ammonia production, but r…

The committee discussed creating a 5‑member technical subcommittee to help rewrite the county’s land and water management plan, debated accelerating nitrate screening and increasing engagement with agricultural landowners, and reviewed rough funding figures for BMP cost‑share programs.

County staff presented new groundwater monitoring and nitrate-screening data showing persistent nitrate issues in central St. Croix County and proposed a multi‑year, USDA‑funded program of best‑management practice contracts; committee members urged seeking funding and sharing results with the full board.

The board, sitting as drainage trustees, approved an Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) prep wetland project in subdrainage district 155 designed to reduce nitrates from tile and surface runoff; IDALS said design and permits are in place and maintenance will be overseen under a conservation easement.

Field trials presented by UC researchers showed finely ground almond shells (5 t/acre) and similar high‑carbon amendments reduced winter nitrate leaching in several trials (averaging ~47 lb/acre reduction across seven trials; in some years reductions exceeded 100 lb/acre), though effectiveness varied with rainfall and timing.

Scientists, USDA researchers and farmers told the expert panel that winter non‑legume cover crops can substantially reduce nitrate leaching and that credits in the A–R accounting system help drive adoption, research and water‑quality benefits.

The Nebraska Association of Resource Districts told the task force that a phased, locally implemented nitrate management program (education, mandatory testing and management plans) and expanded groundwater monitoring can slow nitrate increases. Speakers described producer outreach, voluntary changes to fertilizer timing and a new Producer Connect