By Joe McGovern

It is well documented that Iowa has water quality and soil erosion issues. These are significant issues that we must address for our health and the economic well-being of our state. Yet, on Friday, Gov. Terry Branstad vetoed legislation that would have funded a variety of soil conservation programs, water quality initiatives and natural resource protection.

We want to thank the House and Senate who listened to their constituents and appreciate that we must invest in our environment to keep Iowa strong and prosperous. With bipartisan support, the Legislature recommended funding the Resource Enhancement and Protection Program (REAP) at $25 million, and enhanced funding for soil and water conservation programs at $5 million, the watershed improvement fund at $1.5 million and the water quality initiative at $3.5 million.

Gov. Branstad vetoed a total of $20 million that would have gone to support voluntary conservation programs and water quality initiatives. He cut the REAP program by a third, to $16 million, and completely vetoed the rest of the proposed appropriations. This amounts to a cut of $11.2 million in money for water quality and conservation programs under the Iowa Department of Agriculture.

The state of Iowa spends less than 1 percent of its budget on its natural resources, among the lowest in the country, and trends continue to demonstrate that our natural resource base is deteriorating.

Prior to the governor’s veto, the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation and Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey expressed their support for the proposed funding, stating that the investments “are vital to expedite conservation work. Historically, these programs are not adequately funded, and in recent years, high farmer participation has created a backlog of unfunded projects. Use of the Legislature’s one-time conservation funding will allow the implementation of new conservation measures on hundreds of farms around the state while facilitating continued improvement in water quality and soil health.”

The needs are huge. So now what?

Northey’s reaction to the veto was one of disappointment, a sentiment we should all share: “Obviously I’m very disappointed by the governor’s decision. This is a lost opportunity to do even more to build on the exciting momentum we are seeing around the Iowa water quality initiative.”

The investment proposed by the Legislature is what needs to happen if we are to begin to make a difference and see an improvement in our natural resource base. The state’s nutrient reduction plan is aimed at protecting our agricultural soils and improving our water quality. It identifies significant investments that need to be made to accomplish these societal goals.

Northey’s disappointment reflects the frustration of trying to plan long term on a budget that is funded annually and has fluctuated significantly over the past decade.

The vision created by the REAP program is a model for the kinds of investments the state needs to make. REAP has significantly benefited all 99 of Iowa’s counties by supporting a total of 14,535 projects since its inception. State investments in REAP are leveraged two to three times with private, local and federal dollars to achieve its goal.

The Legislature passed the REAP program with almost unanimous bipartisan support. Ironically, it was then Branstad who signed it into law 25 years ago. Since that day, REAP has created better soil and water quality, improved Iowa’s quality of life, sustained economic development, created healthier communities, expanded trails and outdoor recreation opportunities and enhanced knowledge about and understanding of our ecological and environmental assets.

The governor’s veto of this vital conservation funding underscores why funding the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund is more important than ever. In 2010, 63 percent of Iowans voted to approve this trust fund that would provide consistent reliable funding to support voluntary soil conservation and water quality initiatives. This fund would be constitutionally protected and ensure that needed funding is available. That vote happened in 2010, but the trust fund has yet to be funded.

Our state, county, local agencies and nonprofit organizations need the certainty of funding to implement the long-term planning necessary to put environmental solutions into place.

Iowa has built and sustained its economy and culture on the state’s rich soils, plentiful water, clean air and other natural resources, and our future generations’ well-being depends on the availability of these natural resources. We must do more to prioritize our natural resources.

Let your public officials and candidates know how you care about this land we call Home.

If not us, who?

If not now, when?

THE AUTHOR:

JOE MCGOVERN is president of the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. Contact: jmcgovern@inhf.org.