Someone should write up a report on the tax breaks that are given to CAFOs, 
naming names, and relate this directly to the budget shortfall.  I

Peggy Murdock

At 12:09 PM 5/22/2002 -0400, you wrote:
>ACTION ALERT from the Iowa Environmental Council:
>BUDGET CUTS COULD CLOSE THE LEOPOLD CENTER
>
>The Governor will convene a special session of the Legislature next 
>Tuesday, May 28 to deal with the state's deepening budget crises.  More 
>cuts need to be made to the coming fiscal year (FY03) budget in light of 
>reduced revenue projections.
>
>In the proposed Republican budget-released yesterday-environmental funding 
>takes a disproportionately large cut.
>
>Environmental programs currently get only 1.2% of general fund and 
>infrastructure appropriations, but 9% of the proposed cuts comes on the 
>back of environmental programs.  Iowa already is last in the nation in per 
>capita spending on the environment, and the proposed cuts put us even 
>farther behind.  If the cuts take effect, Iowa will spend only 0.7% of the 
>state budget on environmental protection.
>
>The tragedy of these cuts and anemic funding is that these environmental 
>programs are proactive, preventative solutions to problems.  Iowa's 
>environmental initiatives are some of the most cost-effective public 
>expenditures, when we consider the cost of clean up or restoration after 
>damage has already occurred.   They're in line with a core Iowa value-"An 
>ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."   Today's costs for these 
>programs are minuscule compared to the benefits Iowa receives for the 
>tomorrows to come.
>
>You need to contact Legislators and the Governor before Tuesday and tell 
>them to protect Iowa's environmental spending in the Environment First 
>Fund, and particularly the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture.
>
>***************************************
>ENVIRONMENT FIRST FUND
>
>The Council is shocked at the proposed cuts to the Environment First 
>Fund.  This fund was created just two years ago and was hailed as a great 
>step forward in Iowa's commitment to the environment.  The proposed budget 
>cuts this fund by 53%-to less than $12.4 million out.
>
>The Environment First Fund includes appropriations for the following 
>programs, among others:
>
>Farm Demonstration Program
>REAP
>Ag Drainage Well closure
>Soil Conservation Cost Sharing
>Brownfield Redevelopment
>Geographic Information System Development
>Wetland Incentive Program
>Watershed Protection Plan
>Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program
>Water Quality Monitoring
>Volunteer Water Monitoring (IOWATER)
>Water Quality Protection
>Air Quality Monitoring Program
>Lake Dredging
>
>While not all of these programs suffer cuts, several programs are 
>completely eliminated in the Republican's budget-such as Brownfield 
>Redevelopment and Farm Demonstration.  Others are severely cut.  REAP 
>suffers an 80% cut, from $10 million to $2 million-ending many local 
>community improvement projects.
>
>
>*************************************
>LEOPOLD CENTER FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
>
>Of particular concern to the Council is the drastic cut to the Leopold 
>Center for Sustainable Agriculture.  On the table is a cut of $1 million, 
>reducing the Center's budget by 86%.  The budget cut from $1.16 million 
>last year to less than $200,000 effectively ends this nationally 
>recognized, innovative program supporting sustainable agricultural 
>development.
>
>Losing the Leopold Center would be a catastrophe.  The Center serves as an 
>incubator for sustainable agricultural practices that will pay significant 
>dividends down the road-in cleaner water, less soil erosion, and greater 
>agricultural vitality.  These budget cuts to the Leopold Center today 
>sacrifice significant economic and environmental benefits tomorrow.
>
>The Leopold Center has helped advance such promising innovations as:
>
>… The buffer strip/watershed reconstruction project at Bear Creek-which 
>has been designated as a National Demonstration Watershed.  Expanding use 
>of the practices learned in Bear Creek drastically reduces soil erosion, 
>improves water quality, and expands wildlife habitat.
>… Hoop house hog confinement systems-which are environmentally and 
>animal friendly.
>… Early support for Iowa's grape and wine industry-which has the 
>potential to impact agricultural diversity, value added production, and 
>tourism.
>… Sole support of long-term research by ISU's only organic crop 
>specialist-which provides a key component in Iowa's growing organic 
>production sector (from 13,000 acres in 1995 to 150,000 in 1999).
>… Facilitation of local food systems-which paved the way for creation of 
>Iowa's Local Food Task Force and the Governor's Food Policy Council.  This 
>trend promises to reunite rural producers and urban consumers in a vibrant 
>food production and distribution model.
>
>The proposed Republican budget cuts to the Leopold Center for Sustainable 
>Agriculture are shortsighted.  Such a loss would have detrimental 
>long-term impacts on the viability of Iowa's agricultural economic 
>base.  The cuts sacrifice one of the most innovation and beneficial 
>long-term investment we can make with public money.
>
>If farmers are to meet the challenge of better environmental stewardship, 
>we must not stop developing new methods and better tools for them to 
>use.  And if we truly seek means to help keep family farms viable and 
>prosperous, we cannot allow these cuts to the Leopold Center-one of the 
>most innovative resources supporting family farmers.
>
>
>PLEASE CONTACT THE GOVERNOR AND YOUR LEGISLATOR THIS WEEK AND OVER THE 
>HOLIDAY WEEKEND AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO PRESERVE THE LEOPOLD CENTER, TO NOT 
>THROW AWAY WHAT WE'VE WORKED SO HARD TO BUILD.
>
>***********************************
>CONTACT INFORMATION
>
>Please contact the following:
>
>1. Your own state representative.  Home and office contact information can 
>be found at the Iowa General Assembly website at 
><http://www.legis.state.is.us>.  Or call the House switchboard at 
>515.281.3221.
>
>2. Your own state senator. Home and office contact information can be 
>found at the Iowa General Assembly website at 
><http://www.legis.state.is.us>.  Or call the Senate switchboard at 
>515.281.3371.
>
>[Legislator email addresses are <[log in to unmask]>.
>
>3. The Governor's office.  You can call the governor's office at 
>515.281.5211 or send an email to the Governor's executive secretary < 
>[log in to unmask]>.
>
>4. Stewart Iverson, Senate Majority Leader.  Home: 515.852.3350.  Office: 
>515.281.3560.  Email: <[log in to unmask]>.
>
>5. Christopher Rants, House Majority Leader.  Home: 712.274.8874.  Office: 
>515.281.3221.  Email: <[log in to unmask]>.
>
>6. Forward this e-mail to your networks.  It is vital that legislators 
>hear from as many Iowans as possible. Your e-mail network is an important 
>tool to help protect Iowa's environment.  Please use it.
>
>
>Erin Jordahl
>Director, Iowa Chapter Sierra Club
>3839 Merle Hay Road, Suite 280
>Des Moines, IA 50310
>515-277-8868
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