FOR RELEASE:  IMMEDIATELY
CONTACT: Mark Ackelson, INHF: 800/475-1846 or 515/288-1846
                    Don Brazelton, IACCB, 515/963-9582


REAP Congress to discuss 80% budget cuts

Due to a recent 80 percent cut in its program budget, the upcoming REAP
Congress may hold its shortest gathering in the program's history on July 13.
However, attendees are encouraged to stay for a post-congress meeting to
discuss REAP's future.

Iowa's Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) program was signed into law
by then-governor Terry Branstad in 1989. Originally authorized at $30 million
annually for 10 years, the conservation program was reauthorized in 1996 to
provide $20 million annually until 2021. Actual annual appropriations have
averaged about $11 million. However, during the recent special legislative
session, the 2003 REAP budget was slashed by 80 percent.

"Though most Iowans probably can't define the REAP program, they'll feel the
effects of these REAP cuts," says Don Brazelton, co-coordinator of the REAP
Alliance and executive secretary of the Iowa Association of County
Conservation Boards. The REAP Alliance is a coalition of nearly 30
conservation organizations.

"Many of the parks, trails and conservation programs that Iowans love are
here today because of REAP dollars," Brazelton continues. "REAP touches every
community and county in Iowa with its programs for natural and cultural
resource protection, soil and water conservation, environmental education,
native vegetation planting along roadsides, and the purchase, management and
improvement of parks, trails, streams and wildlife lands.

The original REAP law provides that every two years elected delegates from
around the state come together in a "Congress" to evaluate the program and
make recommendations to the legislature, Governor and public agencies who
manage the funds.

Planned long before the cuts were announced, this year's REAP Congress is
Saturday, July 13 at the State Historical Building in Des Moines.
Registration begins at 9 a.m., and the meeting opens at 10 a.m. Because of
the dramatic cuts in the program, the REAP Congress itself may be a
relatively short session this year.
However, the REAP Alliance will use the remainder of the day to work with
interested people on developing a strategy to help assure REAP has a viable
future and explore other funding opportunities. Attendance at past REAP
Congresses was limited to selected delegates, who received reimbursement for
the day's expenses.

This year's Congress and REAP Alliance meeting are open to anyone-with no
expense reimbursement funds available. However, lunch will be provided to
attendees who contact [log in to unmask] <
mailto:[log in to unmask]> or 515-281-8674 before July 9.

"The REAP Alliance helped design the original program in the 1980s after
nearly five years of work," notes Mark Ackelson, REAP co-coordinator and
president of the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. "The Alliance has
continued to monitor the program and encourage its support by state
legislators.

"It appears the public and Alliance have a great deal of work to rebuild
public support for conservation and environmental funding," adds Ackelson.
"REAP is held up as a national model and has received widespread support
throughout Iowa.  It is a program that invests in Iowa's future and quality
of life, and it's good for all of Iowa.  I am hoping many interested and
energetic people will join us on July 13th to help chart REAP's future."


forwarded by
Erin Jordahl
Director, Iowa Chapter Sierra Club
3839 Merle Hay Road, Suite 280
Des Moines, IA 50310
515-277-8868
[log in to unmask]
[log in to unmask]