By Scout Nelson
Nebraska Senator Teresa Ibach has introduced a bill, LB 1368, aimed at tackling the state's concerning nitrate contamination in groundwater. Titled the "Nitrogen Reduction Incentive Act," it proposes financial incentives for farmers to adopt sustainable practices that reduce their reliance on synthetic fertilizers.
The bill offers a minimum of $10 per acre to farmers who decrease their use of synthetic fertilizers and switch to "biological" alternatives like nitrogen-fixing microbes. This initiative aims to encourage practices that minimize nitrate leaching into groundwater, a problem linked to high cancer rates in Nebraska.
Currently, 1 in 5 public and private wells in the state exceed safe nitrate levels. Supporters like the Nebraska Farm Bureau and the League of Women Voters emphasize the bill's potential to address this issue through proactive measures.
The program would provide incentives for five years, with the belief that farmers will eventually adopt sustainable practices due to market forces. However, some concerns exist about the effectiveness of past efforts and the long-term feasibility of the bill's financial cap of $5 million per year.
Hank Robinson from the Aksarben Foundation suggests increasing the incentives or offering property tax credits to encourage participation. Additionally, Edison McDonald from GC Resolve proposes including traditional nitrate-reducing practices like cover crops and filter strips in the bill and stresses the need for further research on the proposed biological alternatives.
While no formal opposition was voiced during a public hearing, the bill's effectiveness and long-term impact remain under debate. Nevertheless, it represents a significant step towards addressing the crucial issue of groundwater contamination in Nebraska and fostering a shift towards sustainable agricultural practices.
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Categories: Nebraska, Government & Policy