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With Iowa's legislature back in session, you may hear the Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) program in budget debates. Where does Iowa's premiere conservation program fit among our state's priorities in these challenging times? Where should it fit? As one of several Iowans who helped create REAP 13 years ago, I believe REAP is more important now than ever before.
Background
& backing
On April 25, 1989, all 100 members of the Iowa House voted "yea"
to create REAP. The Senate's support was nearly unanimous. Gov.
Branstad signed the law, and REAP legislation became effective
immediately with $15 million for the first year's funding. It's
unusual for legislation of this magnitude to be enacted, let alone
funded, during the first legislative session in which it was introduced--but
REAP was unusual for its overwhelming bipartisan support and everyone's
desire to see its immediate benefits.
My pleasure in REAP's success is always bittersweet--knowing that
for each gain, something was left undone for lack of funds. Ironically,
Iowa's REAP program became a model for conservation programs in
other states-which then surpassed us by adequately funding their
programs.
Though REAP was originally intended as a supplement to existing
conservation programs, some program funds were later reduced--assuming
REAP would pick up the slack, but Iowa's conservation funding
is already stretched thin. Only 1.2 percent of Iowa's general
fund appropriations are for conservation--a smaller share than
most neighboring states. REAP is a small but important part of
that 1.2 percent.
The original REAP law authorized a maximum appropriation of $30
million per year for 10 years. In 1996, the legislature extended
REAP's authorization through 2021 but reduced the maximum appropriation
from $30 million to $20 million per year. Actual appropriations
have ranged between $7 million and $20 million, with an annual
average of about $10 million. The 2001 REAP appropriation was
typical: $10 million, with interest from the REAP account and
receipts from the sale of natural resource license plates adding
another $1 million.
Formula
for success
Because of Iowa's low natural resource budget, REAP's creators
agreed to stop fighting for budget crumbs and work together for
larger conservation goals. Consequently, the REAP formula was
created, which laid out a conservation vision and established
a ratio of REAP expenditures for different
conservation programs.
The formula's beauty is twofold. It maintains a balanced set of
conservation programs: from environmental education to water quality
to historical preservation. Yet it allows each specialty area
to control its own share of the funds-with citizen input. For
example, the conservation education fund assists
teachers and naturalists with continuing education and up-to-date
materials for environmental education. Many soil and water
enhancement funds go directly to landowners, who apply
to their county soil conservation districts for assistance. Eligible
projects and programs include protecting surface and groundwater
resources, reforestation, wildlife habitat preservation and protecting
highly erodible soils. City and county funds help
local governments meet conservation goals. Meanwhile, REAP dollars
serve as matching funds to attract federal dollars for water quality,
soil protection and more.
Bringing
it home
Though REAP uses state dollars, most recipients and benefits are
local. REAP dollars directly benefit individuals (like teachers
and landowners), cities, counties and small businesses.
Many people associate REAP with natural land acquisitions--whether
it's a city park, county park or trail. Watch for REAP signage
when enjoying these special places. But most REAP dollars aren't
for land acquisition. If you like the native roadside plantings
in virtually every Iowa county, thank REAP for beautifying your
world, reducing chemical sprays and cutting roadside maintenance
costs. If your child is learning about Iowa's environment, thank
REAP for providing our teachers with Iowa-focused conservation
training and materials--plus supporting county naturalists and
nature centers. If you drink or eat, thank REAP for helping protect
Iowa's water and soil quality.
To keep the program's local flavor, REAP requires citizen involvement
in its ongoing process. Citizens can help determine how their
local REAP dollars are spent through their county REAP committees,
REAP assemblies and biennial REAP Congress.
Today's
challenges
This year our state and nation face unusual financial and security
fears. Some will argue that REAP and other conservation programs
are "frills" that are fine for economic good times,
but not now. I disagree. Clean water, stable soil, native species
and open spaces are not luxuries--even though we've often used
them too luxuriously. There will always be crises, but in the
big picture, a healthy environment IS Iowa's economy and security.
REAP (and the other conservation programs squeezed into 1.2 percent
of Iowa's budget) are needed now more than ever.
Mark Ackelson has worked for the Iowa Natural Heritage
Foundation since 1980 and served as its president since 1994.
He is co-coordinator of the REAP Alliance, a group of organizations
working together on the REAP program.
To see a list of
INHF projects that received 2001 REAP grants,
click here.
For more information
about the REAP program, including a complete schedule of REAP
assembly meetings, visit www.state.ia.us/dnr/organiza/reap/
For more information, e-mail Cathy
Engstrom, director of communications, or call (515) 288-1846.
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