On his fourth trip to Iowa, Beto O'Rourke will tour areas of Davenport damaged by flooding along the Mississippi River. At the beginning of the month, the 2020 Democratic presidential hopeful from Texas toured the communities that experienced severe flooding in the southwest.

It will all get worse if climate change isn't addressed, O'Rourke said Monday in Des Moines at a roundtable discussion with renewable energy business leaders and environmental activists.

Following that visit, O'Rourke released some additions to his climate plan targeted at Iowans.

Davenport is directly mentioned. The campaign's analysis is that the city lacks permanent flood infrastructure because of the upfront cost. This is partly true.

Historically, the City of Davenport's flood mitigation strategy has been trying to balance the upfront cost of permanent levee walls, limiting development in the flood plain, a desire to keep access and views of the river clear, and being a good environmental steward by working with, rather than against, the river. additional potential flooding for towns down river.

Because the growing climate crisis will only increase the frequency and intensity of flooding events in communities along the Mississippi and other rivers, O'Rourke's plan would be to partner with local governments to invest in infrastructure projects that protect against floods. According to the campaign, investing in disaster mitigation projects could save communities, states and the nation money in the long run.

Another part of O'Rourke's Iowa-specific strategies involves investing in research efforts to spur profits and productivity for farmers. This would include increased funding to land-grant universities, U.S. government research agencies and greater attention to STEM education.

Finally, O'Rourke wants to see an incentive program to encourage farmers and ranchers to switch over to techniques like no-till agriculture, cover crops and carbon-capturing crop rotation.

► ICYMI: Iowa student asks Beto O'Rourke 'Are you here to see Beto?' in bathroom

Monday, May 20

Davenport: Beto O'Rourke to tour Davenport flood damage from 2 to 3:30 p.m. meeting at the corner of E 2nd Street & Pershing Avenue

Davenport: Town hall with Beto O'Rourke from 6 to 8 p.m. at the River Music Experience, 129 Main St.

Tuesday, May 21

Tipton: Town hall with Beto O'Rourke from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Tipton City Park, Lower Pavilion, 650 South Main St.

Des Moines: CNN Town Hall with Beto O'Rourke from 9 to 10 p.m. at Drake University.

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Zachary Oren Smith writes about government, growth and development for the Press-Citizen. Reach him at zsmith@press-citizen.com or 319-339-7354, and follow him on Twitter @zacharyos.