Iowa Floods Cause $40 Million Worth of Soil Erosion, $30 Million of Road Damage

[XemaSab]

A new survey shows that Iowa's soil and water conservation structures have suffered $40 million worth of damage as a result of heavy rain and flooding this year.

The survey by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship shows that an estimated 2.3 million acres — about 10 percent of Iowa's cropland — has suffered severe erosion damage, which is defined as the loss of 20 tons or more of soil per acre.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service defines tolerable soil erosion levels at 3 to 5 tons an acre annually.

Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey says the widespread erosion is troublesome, particularly at a time when corn and soybeans are in high demand for feed and fuel.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,394984,00.html