U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told an Ames audience at a small-business conference today that Iowa political leaders of both parties need to pass a major water quality and soil conservation plan next year, or “there is going to be hell to pay.”

That’s because, the former Iowa governor said, Minnesota and Wisconsin are taking action to the north, and with oil-spill cash from BP, the Gulf of Mexico interests are moving to clean water to the south. That would leave Iowa standing in stark contrast.

Though he didn’t describe what “hell” would be forthcoming, he appeared to refer to farmers’ biggest fear: intervention and regulation by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

“We need a bold plan, not some nickel and dime thing,” Vilsack said in response to a question from Des Moines agribusinessman and environmental leader Bob Riley. “Put resources, significant resources, on the table and then require accountability to leverage that money to the max. If we do this right, it will pay for itself. We would have the ability to market this state to anyone, because we won’t have a problem with water quality or soil health. We would say, ‘Come to Iowa. We have plenty of water, and it’s clean.’ Some other states won’t be able to say that.”

Vilsack said 2017 “is the perfect time” to act.

“I think the political  leadership of this state, regardless of political party, have a unique opportunity to be serious about soil health and water quality. If we don’t do that, there is going to be hell to pay. This is, in my view, the only thing we should be worrying about,” because the broader economy depends on it, Vilsack added.

“The people of Iowa are telling their leadership, ‘You have had plenty of time to debate. Now get in a room and solve this.'”