Iowa Hosts National Celebration of PL-566 50th Anniversary

August 5, 2004                                                                           

Conservationists gathered Aug. 4 at the Stonehaven Hunting Lodge just south of DeSoto, Iowa for the national celebration of the Public Law-566 Watershed Program. 

USDA-Natural Resource Conservation Service Chief Bruce Knight, Iowa NRCS State Conservationist Rick Van Klaveren and National Watershed Coalition CEO/Executive Director Dan Sebert highlighted the more than 100 attendees.

PL-566 is formally known as The Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Program. It provides technical and financial assistance to state and local governments and tribes through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to reduce flooding, control gully erosion, create fish and wildlife habitat, develop recreation and rural water supplies, and better manage land in watersheds.

“This program has meant so much to people in the way of flood reduction, safety from flooding and security from flooding,” said Knight. “But it’s more than just dams. People underestimate what this watershed program provides in the way of water quality benefits, the prevention of soil erosion and in creating wildlife habitat.”

The 50^th anniversary celebration included a charter bus tour of the Badger Creek Watershed, which sits in sections of Madison, Warren and Dallas Counties in central Iowa. A 2.5-inch rain the night before allowed attendees the opportunity to see various conservation practices at work, including grassed waterways, grade stabilization structures and floodwater retarding structures.

Van Klaveren pointed out that since construction on the Badger Creek Watershed began in 1960, many structures are nearing the end of their design life.

“In just a few years many of these dams will need rehabilitation,” said Van Klaveren. “The need for rehabilitation will continue to grow nationwide, which will provide NRCS and our partners opportunities to expand our efforts in the state’s watersheds.”

Sebert compared the PL-566 Watershed Program to a good quilt. “If you look at this watershed protection program, it truly is part of a quilt that covers our country,” he said. “(PL-566) has taken individual watersheds and sewn them together like a quilt that covers our land.”

Iowa Department of Natural Resources Deputy Director Liz Christiansen completed the day’s events by presenting a proclamation on behalf of Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack.

The 50^th anniversary event was sponsored by Iowa Watersheds, USDA-NRCS, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.   

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