This is today's Iowa News Service "actuality".

IOWA NEWS SERVICE (Radio)
March 3, 2005

Farm Programs on Chopping Block

Des Moines IA. --- Iowa's investments in water quality would have to be
scaled back under President Bush's  proposed cuts to farm programs - it's a
move that ultimately may affect quality of water used for recreation,
wildlife habitat and drinking.  Comments from Tom Hadden, president of the
Iowa Environmental Council.

Suggested script:  IOWA'S WATER IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS MAY JUST BARELY BE
"TREADING WATER" UNDER PRESIDENT BUSH'S BUDGET. THE PLAN WOULD CUT MILLIONS
FROM FARM PROGRAMS RELATED TO WATER QUALITY: 182 MILLION DOLLARS FROM THE
CONSERVATION SECURITY FARM PROGRAM, 200 MILLION FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY INCENTIVE PROGRAM AND 210 MILLION FROM WATERSHED REHABILITATION.
TOM HADDEN WITH THE IOWA ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL SAYS IT'S A BLEAK PICTURE
WHEN THE STATE IS ALREADY TRYING TO CLEAN UP 200 POLLUTED WATERWAYS.
Actuality Cut #56%%ID%% (TRT :11) "I think without it what happens is we
continue down the road of degrading our waters, and I think for people who
want live here, and stay here, and work here, we need to be addressing these
issues."

HADDEN SAYS IF CONGRESS RESTORES FUNDING ORIGINALLY SET ASIDE IN THE FARM
BILL, IOWA FARMERS WILL DO THEIR SHARE.
Actuality Cut #57%%ID%% (TRT :08) "There are a lot of good stewards in the
farming community and we want to encourage those practices to protect  our
resources."

Suggested tag: HADDEN SAYS AGRICULTURE IS SUCH A VITAL PART OF IMPROVING THE
STATE'S OVERALL WATER QUALITY, ITS IMPERATIVE THAT CONSERVATION INVESTMENTS
CONTINUE.

Editor's note:  Tom Hadden is available for interviews at 515-323-6535.

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