Laura Sands is running against Brad Zaun for the seat being vacated by Sen.
Jack Holveck.


Sierra Club Questionnaire
Laura Sands
Iowa State Senate Candidate - District 32


1. Iowa's surface water has many uses: fishing, swimming, and drinking
water. What programs would you support to monitor Iowa's water bodies and
develop plans to clean up the impaired waters? What could the state do to
help reduce polluted runoff from both agriculture and urban areas?

I strongly support more efforts to improve water quality monitoring and
clean up Iowa's impaired waters.  I support a myriad of programs that would
increase the quality of our water and reduce polluted runoff from
agriculture and urban areas.  Some of these include the following:
Environment First Fund, REAP (fund at full level), conservation reserve
programs that include more buffer strips, wetlands restoration, and
watershed/floodplain protection.

2. The State of Iowa enacted legislation for the regulation of confinement
livestock production.  What improvements in current legislation would you
support to ensure the protection of our natural resources and the rights of
adjacent residents? Would you support the proposed air quality standard of
30 parts per billion for hydrogen sulfide?

To ensure the protection of Iowa's natural resources and the rights of its
residents, I support statewide environmental standards for livestock
confinements and local control for communities regarding siting decisions.

As a person who has worked in public health for twenty-five years, I too am
concerned about air quality.  The state cannot afford to put the health of
Iowans at risk when it comes to this important standard.

I understand that the proposal of 30 parts per billion for hydrogen sulfide
was a compromise that was offered after the Governor vetoed a bill that
would have negatively altered Iowa's air quality standards for animal
feeding operations.
I agree with the Governor's veto of this bill and would support efforts to
improve our air quality standards.

3. Since 1975, Iowa has lost 1,000,000 acres of land to urban sprawl
development. Over 80% of growth in Iowa currently takes place outside of
urban limits. What legislation would you support that would save Iowa
farmland and natural areas by stopping urban sprawl?

I support planned and rationale development in Iowa.  This includes making
efficient use of the land and allowing for greenspaces.


4.  Iowa has lost much of its biodiversity. Prairies, wetlands, and forests
with its creatures have been replaced by farms and cities. The Sierra Club
in Iowa has supported the following legislative efforts: a Natural Areas
Inventory, prohibition of commercial logging in state parks, expansion and
funding for a nongame program, and an Open Spaces goal. What legislation
would
you support/propose to increase or protect remaining wild areas in Iowa?

I agree that more must be done to safeguard Iowa's biodiversity.  I support
legislation that creates more open spaces, fully funds REAP, preserves Iowa'
s prairie, provides assistance for wetlands and soil conservation, and
protects Iowa's endangered species.  In addition, it is very important for
the state to promote educational programs that help others to understand the
value of biodiversity in Iowa.

5. The Loess Hills in Iowa are recognized worldwide for their unique
landscape and geological value and for their cultural and archaeological
resources.  In 2001, the National Park Service (NPS) determined "the Loess
Hills landform region is nationally significant as a topographic and
geological combination not found elsewhere in the United States."  The NPS
Special Resource Study provided national recognition that these Western
Hills of Iowa with their extensive prairie ecosystems are of "exceptional
value."  The Loess Hills contain most of Iowa's last native prairie (Iowa
was once 85% prairie-99.9% is now gone.)

What legislation would you support for state funding and assistance (through
the Iowa Department of Natural Resources) to preserve these last native
prairies of Iowa and this scenic landform?

The importance of the Loess Hills to the State of Iowa is invaluable.  I
support continued efforts to protect and preserve the Loess Hills.  This
includes support of the Environment First Fund that provides funding to the
Loess Hills Development and Conservation Fund and the Loess Hills Alliance.

6. Sierra Club supports efforts to reduce the consumption of vital and
valuable fossil-fueled energy resources.  What initiatives would you
propose/support to achieve such a sustainable energy policy for Iowa?

I also support efforts to reduce the consumption of vital and valuable
fossil-fueled energy resources.  Iowa must adopt an energy policy that is
sustainable over the long-term.  I would support a variety of initiatives
including efforts to expand and promote wind and solar power and biomass
opportunities.

The state of Iowa needs to redouble its efforts with regards to energy
efficiency.  I support efforts to provide energy audits, promote energy
efficiency technology, and give rebates on energy efficiency appliances.


7. Iowa has a deposit on the containers of carbonated beverages, wine, beer,
and liquor.  Sierra Club has supported expanding the bottle deposit law so
that similar containers from same sources with other beverages would also
have a deposit.  What is your opinion on expanding or repealing this deposit
system?

I support Iowa's bottle deposit law.  I am open to considering ways to
improve the current system and ensure its long-term viability.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Make your voice heard! Find out how to get Take Action Alerts
and other important Sierra Club messages by email at:
http://www.sierraclub.org/email