PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- Improving water quality in the Big Sioux River watershed got a funding boost from last year’s legislature.

Hunter Roberts, Secretary of the Department of Ag and Natural Resources, says they are still putting a plan together.

Roberts told the Senate Ag & Natural Resources Committee they are working to get landowners interested in an expanded buffer strip program.

Roberts says they want to coordinate with the US Ag Department.

The state has had a voluntary buffer strip program that gives landowners a property tax cut for maintaining grassy areas near waterways.