Iowans Support Natural Resources Trust Fund
An Investment in our Future
Iowa voters will have a historic opportunity in November 2010 to vote in support of a constitutional amendment establishing a trust fund to preserve Iowa’s natural resources and outdoor recreational opportunities. Trust fund revenue will aid in conservation of agricultural soils and improve water quality and natural areas in Iowa, including parks, trails, and fish and wildlife habitat.
In 2008 and 2009, more than 90 percent of Iowa’s state legislators overwhelmingly approved legislation that would establish the constitutionally protected Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund. Polls conducted in 2006 and 2008 continue to affirm that Iowans value natural areas and the features that are unique to this state.
If approved by Iowa voters, the Trust Fund would allocate 3/8ths of one cent from sales tax revenue the next time the Iowa legislature raises the state sales tax – providing the Trust Fund an estimate of $150 million per year. This funding recommendation was based on over two-years of research and study conducted by a legislative advisory committee. The advisory committee concluded that those funds, strategically used at state and local levels, would meet current needs. The impact on the average taxpayer in Iowa would be about 8¢ a day, with nearly half of the revenue coming from business and travelers.
Funding for conservation programs and outdoor recreational opportunities is subject to a fluctuating state budget. The Trust Fund would provide a permanent and protected source of funding for Iowa’s natural resources, in addition to annual state budget allocations. A broad range of programs would be enhanced by the Trust Fund, including REAP (Resource Enhancement and Protection program), local conservation programs, watershed protection, lakes restoration, trails, natural resources management and agriculture and land stewardship. 
Investing in our natural resources provides quality of life opportunities close to home where Iowans can enjoy and appreciate healthy activities, natural areas and Iowa’s beauty. Enhancing and developing more competitive outdoor “destinations” will attract visitors and business to the state, helping to diversify local economies and increase tax revenues related to hunting, angling and other outdoor activities.
In 2008 our neighbors to the North, Minnesota, voted in support of a very similar constitutional amendment to fund conversation programs, and over 30 years ago, our neighbors to the South, Missouri, provided constitutional protected funding for its conservation programs and later reauthorized this funding after 20 years of progress.
It is time to start investing now. Several states and communities across the country are taking proactive measures to preserve their natural surroundings. The quality and condition of our natural resources is the responsibility of all Iowans – we must invest now to preserve and enhance our natural resources so they are available to future generations.
Visit the campaign on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Iowas-Water-and-Land-Legacy/250706603056
or Text ‘WATER’ to 97063 for more information
For more information, contact Rosalyn Lehman, Field Director for the Sustainable Funding Coalition, rlehman@tnc.org; 515-202-7720.
And watch this area of the site for updates on conservation funding for Iowa.
Photos on this page courtesy of The Nature Conservancy.
