Since this project has been discussed on Iowa Topics before, I thought
subscribers would be interested to read these LTEs.
Jane Clark

Letters to the Editor (
http://DesMoinesRegister.com/news/stories/c5917686/16156323.html )
Des Moines  Register, 10/14/2001

               Rainforest on prairie?

               Regarding the Oct. 7 Sunday Register editorial, "Keep the
               Vision Iowa Grants Coming":

               I have followed the development of the Iowa CHILD
               project, and Vision Iowa, with interest. The program is
               called Vision Iowa, it is not called, for example, Vision
               Brazil. Pretending to build a rain forest in Iowa and
               expecting it to be significant is as if Rio de Janeiro built
a
               small-scale replica of the Statue of Liberty and expected
               tourists to come flocking to see it, instead of the real
thing.

               Vision Iowa should fund projects that have relevance to
               Iowa.

               Prairies are Iowa's "rain forests." The difference? Iowa's
               prairies are nearly gone, where the rain forests still exist.
               So, if we need an ecology lesson to attract tourists to
               Iowa, let's revive and showcase our own nearly extinct
               ecosystem, and teach fabulous lessons that might prevent
               others from repeating our mistakes.

               $225 million would go a long way to recreating the vast
               beauty and bounty that is the heritage of our state.

               If Iowa defines itself through these projects, and funds
               projects that have intrinsic connections to our state, then
               we can expect folks will want to come look. Otherwise,
               it's not a good use of our money.

               -Eileen M. Robb,
               8000 Briargate, Johnston.

                                  *****

               Let's not kid ourselves. Developer Ted Townsend's Iowa
               CHILD project is not about education and research. If it
               were, the projected $225 million could easily be spent
               purchasing and preserving every bit of Iowa's disappearing
               prairies and wetlands, and funding ecosystem restoration
               research and educational opportunities for years to come.

               Or, perhaps it could be used to protect the real Amazonian
               rainforest.

               Townsend has obviously done his research. His proposal
               hits the politically correct themes of education and
               environmental awareness while promising economic
               development. Something for everyone, it seems. But using
               public funds on a private venture while we ignore basic
               issues like environmental quality and universal health care
               is short-sighted.

               Vision Iowa seems to be intent on putting money into
               developers" pockets. Their lenses must be rose-colored.

               -Ray Reeves,
               28431 200th St.,
               Harper.

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