Opinion : Why Iowa Legislature should continue funding Natural Resources Trust Fund

In 2010 a constitutional amendment was passed by Iowans to support a 3/8 cent tax increase for additional conservation funds across the state. This has not been administratively acted upon to date. Iowans have the right to expect more from their elected representatives across the state after constituent support is established through an election. This is not saying our local elected officials do not support the trust fund. They have, but their voice is not always enough.

Monday, the 26th of January on the first floor of the capitol building, support for this piece of legislation will again be voiced by conservation advocates. If finally funded, the constitutionally protected “Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund” would be a game-changer in the battle to preserve and enhance Iowa’s natural resources, outdoor recreation opportunities, and quality of life. As per the 2010 vote and subsequent surveys of Iowans, the citizens of Iowa have shown an understanding and continued support for this trust fund. However, now it now lies in the hands of Iowa legislators and the governor to deliver on the public’s stated desire.

In Benton County specifically, the funding of this trust fund could be used for many important projects and initiatives that are not currently available through our local property tax funding. For Instance we could further programs that need more funding like: Water quality enhancements through IDALS and the soil & water conservation districts, city parks and open spaces programs, roadside vegetation enhancement through programs like IRVM, fully fund REAP, and finally additional dollars to our county conservation programs to help rebuild trails, parks, cabins, campgrounds, fishing/hunting areas, update our existing amenities and enhance our existing park roadways.

Each of the programs listed above, needs to solicit funds outside the normal budgeting processes to enhance or better yet to survive in their daily responsibilities to the tax payers of Iowa. Despite this continual drive to write and process outside grants and search for vital donations, the funding needed to fully develop areas to the levels expected by our tax payers has continually fallen short due to funding.

The Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund would eliminate such uncertainty, since it would guarantee an annual and consistent funding source to enhance our needed conservation efforts. Iowans are continually reporting that they support the revenue enhancements necessary to fund the trust. In a year when tax reform will be a major topic of discussion, it will be essential that funding the trust be a priority and an element of the final package. The trust fund will provide an estimated $150 million into the state’s economy. Initially, this money will go toward preservation of Iowa’s natural resources, and then it will continue to cycle through the economy as needed.

Why is this funding an immediate concern? Currently Iowa has lost around 90 percent of its natural wetlands; along with them our native prairies, natural flood prevention, and vital wildlife habitat areas that protect our endangered and threatened species. However those aren’t the only natural lands disappearing from Iowa. Due to our excessive soil erosion, Iowa’s family farms across the state lose an average of five tons of quality top soil per acre annually as estimated by the USDA-NRCS.

Basically, the trust fund cannot remain empty if we hope to save our quality of life as Iowans for generations to come. The preservation of Iowa’s natural and agricultural resources is worthy of more revenue enhancement through tax dollars. I respectively urge you to contact our legislators and request them to fund the trust during the 2015 Legislative session as requested by their constituents in 2010.

Yours in service, Matthew Purdy – Executive Director of The Benton County Conservation Board