REPUBLICANS RAID REAP FUNDS & FORMULA in DM
Des Moines, Iowa House Republicans have cut funding and proposed a change to the formula for Resource Enhancement and Protection for Iowa (REAP) grants which will nearly end efforts to purchase or restore lands in Iowa to improve fish and wildlife habitats. After 63% of Iowans voted last fall in support of our natural resources, the Republican plan goes against strong public opinion and will stall Iowas efforts to improve natural habitats, reduce flooding, and keep our air and water clean, said State Representative Chris Hall of Sioux City, Ranking Member of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee. The plan outlined by Republicans this week would cut $3.5 million from REAP next year and change the formula used to allocate REAP grants. REAP funding is derived from state gaming revenues. The grants are awarded to groups of conservationists, hunters, and fishermen in every county in Iowa. The goal is to enhance Iowas natural resources, improve air and water quality, reduce flooding and improve wildlife habitat. REAPs conservation and recreation programs generate at least $1.3 billion annually in tourism and economic activity across Iowa. DC House Republicans Kill major conservation programs. To: Iowans Interested in Food, Agriculture, and Rural Communities From: Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) Date: February 25, 2011 Re: Disproportionate and Unwise Budget Cuts in House of Representatives Budget Would Damage Food, Agriculture, and Farm Conservation Initiatives Critical to Iowa Late last week the U.S. House of Representatives passed budget legislation covering the remainder of fiscal year 2011 and making severe cuts in funding to address a broad range of our nations critically important priorities and needs in the areas of food, agriculture, and farm conservation. If enacted, this budgetary onslaught would seriously impair efforts to improve the quality of life in rural communities; to ensure safe food for American consumers; to conserve soil, enhance water quality, restore wildlife habitat; and to spur economic growth and create jobs. The budget proposal passed by the House is thus especially detrimental to Iowa. Without a doubt, the time has come for making and enacting tough budget decisions through a balanced, careful, and thoughtful approach encompassing both spending and revenue levels while not shortchanging the essential needs of Americans or our nations future. These are some of the more significant and damaging consequences facing Iowa if the House-passed budget bill were to become law. Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Councils: The House bill would eliminate funding for the RC&D program, which assists rural communities in boosting economic opportunity and creating and retaining jobs while protecting and conserving natural resources and improving the quality of life in rural communities. Zeroing out $50.3 million in RC&D funding, as the House proposes, would withdraw support for 375 local RC&D councils across the nation. In Iowa, the 17 RC&D councils spanning the state would lose their entire $1.9 million in federal assistance, as compared to fiscal 2010. For a map of those locations, please click here. Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP): EQIP provides assistance, in the form of cost-share and incentive payments, to help producers of crops, livestock, dairy, and poultry meet their environmental challenges and requirements. The House bill would reduce fiscal 2011 funding for EQIP by $350 million (22 percent) below the amount dedicated to EQIP in the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act (2008 farm bill). Based on Iowas share of national EQIP funding in fiscal 2010, the cut proposed by the House would deprive Iowa farmers some $7.3 million in EQIP funding that had been committed in the 2008 farm bill. Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP): This voluntary program compensates landowners for protecting, restoring, and enhancing wetlands. Under the House budget bill, WRP funding would be cut by $119 million in fiscal 2011, a reduction of 22 percent from the funds dedicated to WRP in the 2008 farm bill and otherwise available this year. According to Iowas typical share of total WRP funds, the House action would deny $3.1 million to Iowa landowners for wetlands conservation. Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP): The House bill, by reducing CSP funds by some $39 million below the farm bills level for fiscal 2011, would cut CSP assistance to Iowa farmers by $2.7 million. Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations: Funding through this program for preventing flooding, conserving soil, and managing natural resources in watersheds would be eliminated in the House budget bill. In fiscal 2010, Iowa received over $2 million in such watershed and flood prevention funding, but would receive none if the House bill were enacted. --- Please contribute your sightings to our list; it is only as good as members make it! --- Birding channel recommendation for FRS/GMRS radio use: Primary selection; channel 5/0 , alternate selection; channel 6/0 --- This mailing list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union. Membership available on-line at http://www.iowabirds.org/iou/membership.asp. ----- You are currently subscribed to ia-bird as: [email protected]
