I found this another site. I've been wanting to learn more about this. I will be voting yes for sure in November!
FACT SHEET: Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund
Iowa‟s Water & Land Legacy Amendment is a constitutional amendment on the ballot in November 2010. It creates the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund. The Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund will provide a permanent, dedicated and accountable funding mechanism for protection of water quality, conservation of agricultural soils and improvement of natural areas in Iowa, including fish and wildlife habitat.
THE NEED – Iowa must invest properly in natural resources
Our water quality is poor. DNR data shows 53% of waters rate „poor‟; EPA data shows 439 „impaired‟ waters in 2008
We must conserve our fertile soils. Iowa loses an average of 5 tons of soil per acre each year due to erosion
Wildlife habitat is scarce. Iowa ranks 49th of U.S. states in public lands; hundreds of Iowa‟s animals and plants are threatened or endangered
Iowa‟s current conservation spending ranks us near the bottom – 47 out of 50 states
THE PLAN – Establishing the trust fund provides a permanent, reliable and accountable method for protecting vital natural resources.
The trust fund is dedicated to water quality, soil conservation and other conservation and enhancement programs (see allocations on reverse of this page)
The trust fund is permanent – a constitutionally-protected mechanism dedicated exclusively to natural resources
The trust fund is accountable to Iowans through a public oversight committee, annual audits and performance reviews for the legislature
This plan is the result of three years of research and legislative work
Voters must approve the trust fund on Nov. 2, 2010
THE MONEY – Establishing the trust fund does not raise taxes
The amendment on the ballot creates a dedicated, reliable mechanism for funding natural resources; it does not include a tax increase
Trust Fund revenue will come from allocating 3/8 of one cent from sales tax revenue the next time the Iowa Legislature approves a sales tax increase.
The state will decide when the economy is healthy enough to invest sales tax revenue in the trust fund
CONSENSUS – Iowans support these goals
90% of Iowans say protecting land, water and recreational opportunities is critical to the state‟s economic vitality, and 75% support increased funding for those purposes
More than 90% of Iowa‟s legislators voted “yes” twice to create the enabling legislation in 2008 and 2009
Nationally, 75% of conservation measures have passed, most of which included new revenue; conservation funding measures passed recently in Minnesota, Missouri and Johnson County, Iowa
The measure will go to Iowans for a vote on Nov. 2, 2010.
Contact:
Mark Langgin – Campaign Manager
iowaswaterandlandlegacy@gmail.comRoz Lehman – Field Director
rlehman@tnc.orgwww.iowaswaterandlandlegacy.orgTrust Fund Allocations
The Sustainable Natural Resources Advisory Committee reviewed and researched current budgets and funding streams and concluded that an additional $150 million per year, strategically used at state and local levels, would go a long way toward meeting Iowa‟s natural resources and recreation needs.
The following categories were identified by the Advisory Committee and supported by the Interim Legislative Committee. These represent increases to baseline funding to meet current needs. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources estimates that at least two thirds of the funding will be available to farmers and other private landowners for voluntary conservation incentives for clean water and soil conservation.
Agriculture and Land Stewardship. $30 million additional to meet the identified demand for the soil conservation and watershed protection programs the Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship administers. This money would provide additional technical assistance to soil and water conservation districts, develop a stream bank and buffer stabilization project, initiate a state-funded CRP-type program to keep lands in hay and grass, and start a tillage management incentives program to assure adequate crop residue levels in areas impacted by demand for cellulosic ethanol production. This new money would also be used to support environmental agricultural and livestock stewardship.
Natural Resources Management. $35 million for identified needs in state parks, state preserves, wildlife areas, state forests, wildlife habitats, wildlife diversity program, access for hunting and other recreational activities, technical assistance from forestry, fisheries and wildlife biologists through private landowner programs and incentives, water trails, river and streams programs, natural resources outreach including natural history interpretation in the parks and natural areas, angling opportunities, conservation law enforcement, recreational safety programs, etc. The Department of Natural Resources is the state agency charged with conserving and enhancing Iowa‟s natural resources and providing quality outdoor recreational opportunities.
REAP (Resource Enhancement and Protection). $20 million additional funds to meet the demands on REAP. The committee also recommends full funding of REAP to the authorized level. This would provide a total of $40 million from current and future sources. This program provides funds for projects that enhance our natural, cultural, and recreational resources across all of the state.
Local Conservation Partnership Program. $20 million for habitat protection and conservation, infrastructure needs, conservation education, and nature interpretation at the local level. Dedicating these funds is part of a strategic effort to best address conservation needs in local communities. Funds would be made available to county conservation boards ($12 million), nongovernmental organizations ($5 million), and cities ($3 million).
Watershed Protection. $20 million to improve and encourage a watershed approach to solving water quality environmental problems. Watershed protection includes encouragement of watershed groups, targeted projects, wetland restoration, and runoff filtration management techniques.
Lakes Restoration. $10 million additional for lake restoration needs. Iowans value water quality and desire safe, healthy lakes that provide a full complement of aesthetic, ecological, and recreational benefits. Local involvement and watershed protection are essential components of all successful lake restoration projects.
Trails. $15 million for the addition of new hiking, walking, biking, and water trails, and maintenance of existing trails. At this time, Iowa‟s trails are owned and managed by various entities such as county conservation boards, the state, cities, and non-profit organizations. These state investments in trails will be able to leverage additional federal, local and private funds.
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