Latest local news, weather and high school sports for Tri-State area

DES MOINES, IOWA (AP) -- A state panel has unveiled a plan to clean Iowa's waterways.

The watershed quality panel is suggesting spending more than $13 million in the first year to conduct watershed assessments and create a state council to address water issues.

The group also called for a $1 million research and marketing campaign related to water quality.

Water quality has been a growing concern in Iowa, a state that has high levels of sewage and fertilizer pollution.

Officials say part of the council's work would be organizing data so policy makers can set priorities on how water-quality money should be used. The council would provide advice and work under the governor.

(Copyright ©2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)