With additional funding appropriated and approved for the new fiscal year, the Iowa Legislature and Gov. Terry Branstad are sending a clear signal of support for the state’s water quality initiative, according to Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey.

"It shows a confidence in this being the right kind of approach," Northey said last week. "To come up with this funding on an ongoing basis shows that there is really a strong interest from the legislature and the governor in supporting water quality programs, even in these tough...