IOWA SENATE BILL WOULD AID WILDLIFE DIVERSITY

Senator Mary Lundby (R-Cedar Rapids), introduced legislation that proposes
to assist the DNR's Wildlife Diversity Program by providing state funds
required to match and receive so-called "CARA-Lite" federal funds.  Senate
File 380 (previously SF 125) is, "A bill for an act relating to funding for
nongame wildlife programs by increasing the fees for special natural
resources motor vehicle registration plates ".  This bill proposes to raise
the initial purchase price for Iowa's popular REAP (Resource Ehancement And
Protection) license plates by $10, and the annual renewal fee by $15.  The
original cost of REAP plates and renewal fees would continue going into the
state's REAP account, distributed according to an existing REAP formula.

*Only proceeds from the increased cost would be earmarked for DNR's Wildlife
Diversity program, thus not upsetting the agreed-upon REAP formula.

It has been estimated that this bill could provide between $700,000 and
$800,000 annually to the Wildlife Diversity Program.  That is very close to
the amount required to match annual appropriations to Iowa through the
federal State Wildlife Grants (SWG) program, sometimes also called
"CARA-Lite".  With continuing state budget problems, DNR does not have funds
available to match much of these federal grants.  Private individuals and
conservation groups have stepped forward to help meet the match for a few
projects.  However, without some larger source of state match, it is
possible Iowa might not meet grant deadlines, and remaining federal monies
would be re-allocated to other states.  This also would not set well with
Congress, which could then decide to reduce or eliminate future State
Wildlife Grants.

SF380 was reported out of the Senate Transportation Committee on March 13
and may be taken up for debate during the week of March 24.  Supporters of
stabilized funding for DNR's Wildlife Diversity Program are asked to contact
their state senators and urge passage of SF 380.

Attempts might surface to amend the bill to require all increased proceeds
be distributed according to the existing REAP formula.  However, that
existing formula currently makes no allocation of funds for Wildlife
Diversity, and it is unlikely to be changed in the future.  It is important
that any amendments to this effect be defeated, if the bill is to have any
meaning for Iowa's nongame wildlife.  Contact the DNR Wildlife Diversity
Program Team at 515/423-2823, or 515/281-4815, if you have questions about
the Wildlife Diversity Program.

Contact Jane Clark at [log in to unmask] for information about this message
or SF 380.

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