Iowans Vow to Fight for
Resource Programs

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This article was written and posted on INHF's website in July 2002. 

Iowans who value their natural and historic resources have promised to work to reverse spending cuts that have gutted the state's award-winning Resources Enhancement and Protection (REAP) program. More than 150 people meeting in Des Moines at the 2002 REAP Congress voted to call for full funding of the program, which began in 1989.

The program, which has received national recognition, earmarks money for conservation education, soil and water conservation, city and county parks, state land acquisition and management, historic preservation and roadside vegetation management. The original legislation authorized up to $30 million per year for 10 years, with a formula allocating funds to each of the programs.

The REAP legislation later was extended to allow $20 million annually, but the Legislature has never appropriated the full amount. However, conservationists were shocked this year when the Iowa legislature cut an additional 80 percent of REAP's budget for FY2003: from the $10 million originally appropriated down to $2 million. Lawmakers already had cut $2.8 million from last year's appropriations.

"Less than one penny of our state tax dollar now goes to natural and cultural resource protection," said Mark Ackelson, president of the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation and co-coordinator of the REAP Allliance. "We are robbing from ourselves and future generations" when money is diverted from resource programs, Ackelson said.

The REAP Alliance, which now includes 30 member organizations, helped draft the REAP law and secure its passage in the Iowa Legislature, and has helped monitor the program since 1989.

"This program is in trouble," warned Jeff Vonk, director of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. In addition to the budget cuts, the legislature restricted use of the remaining $2 million to paying property taxes, contractual obligations, and maintenance of state lands. "REAP has we've known it, is non-existent this year," Vonk conceded.

Ackelson noted that REAP cuts will have far-reaching effects: "Regardless of what your conservation concern is-soil, water, historical sites, agricultural land, wildlife, parks, trails, trees, prairies, or streams-you have lost important tools to do your work and protect these resources."

Ackelson added that REAP cuts reflect a larger trend of reduced state funding for conservation. "REAP was cut 80 percent from last year and is only at 10 percent of its authorized level. But this is not the only conservation cut. Lawmakers cut Iowa conservation by one third-one third! Less than one penny of our state tax dollar now goes to natural and cultural resource protection," Ackelson noted. "Do not accept as fact that this is the result of state budget problems.

Support for conservation has eroded over the last 5-6 years. Dedicated funds have been diverted at the same time there has been deliberate actions to weaken program effectiveness."

After some discussion, REAP Congress participants voted near unanimously in support of the following resolution: "REAP funding be restored to $20 million for FY 04 and subsequent years."

For more information, e-mail Cathy Engstrom, director of communications, or call (515) 288-1846.

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