In sorting through papers, I found an article I wrote two years ago on the
DNR's dam-building program. In the article is the following:

        Paul Johnson, now director of the U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service
(formerly the Soil Conservation Service) understood the problem of DNR lake-
building. Back in January 1989, when he was a state representative and
chairman of the House agriculture-natural resources appropriations
subcommittee,  he made the following observation, as reported in The Des
Moines Register:
        "I've heard over and over that we ought to build Brushy Creek because we
promised to do it. Now I'm hearing that there are four or five more lakes
we've promised. Is this a never-ending promise so that every stream in Iowa
eventually will have a dam on it?"


It is clear that Johnson had a good understanding of this serious public lands
problem in 1989. The problem has not gone away. Based on the quote above, I
think it would be very likely that, as DNR director, he would end the agency's
program of lake building.

For that reason, and the fact that he has a good understanding of public
administration and environmental issues, as well as experience in the
legislature, Paul Johnson has my support for  appointment as director of the
DNR by Iowa's new governor, Tom Vilsack.

As agreed at the Nov. 21 ExCom meeting, we will not initially put forward
names for appointments, unless we are asked. But we can express support for or
opposition to a nominee, and, once discussions of appoinments have begun, then
make any suggestions we think are proper.

Tom Mathews

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