Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey received a National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) National Environmental Achievement Award for excellence in Public Service. Northey is the first state Secretary of Agriculture to receive the award.

NACWA’s Public Service Award is presented to current or former elected or appointed public officials at the local, state and federal level of government who have demonstrated exemplary commitment and service to their community, the environment and to NACWA.

Northey was selected for this honor for his leadership in establishing and growing the Iowa Water Quality Initiative and for working in a collaborative manner with both point sources and nonpoint sources to improve water quality.

“It is an honor to receive this recognition from such a distinguished organization that has a long history of working on water quality issues,” Northey said. “Our approach has always been to work together with point sources to address water quality, an issue we all care about. This award is an opportunity to highlight the tremendous work that has been done in Iowa and to showcase our leadership role nationally in addressing water quality.”