Middle Cedar Partnership Program.

1.0 SW CEU

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The Middle Cedar Partnership Program (MCPP) is an example of collaboration in a watershed to reduce non-point nutrient loading to the Cedar River and ultimately the Gulf of Mexico.  This approach brings public sector, in form of a local government (City of Cedar Rapids), into a partnership with private sector (privately held agriculture lands and 16 partners) to install best management practices (BMP) for the purpose of reducing nitrogen and phosphorous entering tributaries of the Cedar River.   The local program was made possible by provision in the 2014 US Farm Bill called Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). 

The goal of the MCPP is to educate, fund, and document nutrient loading reductions resulting from installation of Bioreactors, Bio swales, cover crops, nutrient management products and tools, tilling practices, soil building, and other BMPs . 

The City of Cedar Rapids is directly involved as; lead partner in RCPP grant program, technical source provider, public outreach and as a cash contributor to the effort. 

Cedar Rapids is involved for three core reasons; Reduction of flood impact, reduction of nitrates impacting source drinking water supply and being part of a sustainable system – where ALL entities in the Middle Cedar River Watershed are part of solutions for reaching water quality goals.