Sierrans



The legislative session has barely started and we already have a fight on our hands! 


 As you well know, Iowans voted overwhelmingly in favor of Iowa's Water & Land Legacy Amendment on November 2nd, 2010.  It would, for the first time in Iowa history, constitutionally protect funding for public lands, water quality, fish & wildlife habitat, and other conservation programs.


This historic amendment passed with 

63% OF THE VOTE; with support in 79 of Iowa's 99 counties.   

Now, the legislature is considering House File 45/HSB 1 which would ban public land acquisition by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and cut 2011 funding for the Resource Enhancement & Protection program (REAP).  These are the very programs that 63% of Iowans voted YES for in November.

Thankfully, you can make your voice heard!



Please read below about how to submit a public comment in OPPOSITION to this provision in HF 45/HSB1 and show your support for public access to quality fishing, hunting, and outdoor recreation areas in Iowa.


      Speak Up Against Ban On Public Lands
       
       

      Persons wishing to speak may sign up at the Legislative Information Office (LIO), Room G16, located in the Iowa State Capitol, or call the LIO at 515-281-5129. If unable to attend, you may e-mail written testimony to the LIO:



      [log in to unmask]  Please type Testimony: DNR/Public Lands in the subject line. 





      Public Hearings and times are as follows: 



      HSB 1 - relating to public funding and regulatory matters and 1 -- making, reducing, and transferring appropriations and 2 -- revising fund amountsSponsored by the House Appropriations Committee - Rep. Scott Raecker, chairperson



      Tuesday, January 18, 20116:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.Iowa House of Representatives Chamber 

     
      Contact Your Elected Officials
       
       We are also encouraging our supporters to contact elected officials - in particular members of the Iowa House of Representatives and Governor Branstad - to express their support for Iowa's Water & Land Legacy and their OPPOSITION to the provisions in HF 45/HSB 1 that ban public land acquisition while cutting funding for REAP in FY 2011.  



      In particular, we want them to know that:

      - 63% of Iowa voters voted YES to Iowa's Water & Land Legacy amendment.  This shows overwhelming public support for Iowa's public access areas, water quality programs, conservation programs.  

      - Public lands serve as buffers for important streams, rivers, lakes and wetlands while providing water quality, soil conservation, and wildlife habitat benefits.  Don't sacrifice these long term goals for one time budget needs.

      - Natural Resource programs and conservation in Iowa generates over $2 billion/year in economic activity each year while supporting over 27,000 Iowa jobs.  Now is the time to continue this investment.

      You can find your legislature using this tool on the legislative website.  You can find their legislative email addresses here and here.  We also encourage you to contact Governor Branstad here.



      House Email Contact

      Senate Email Contact

      Office of The Governor
     

     
      Thanks,

      Mark Langgin - Director
      515-707-0266

      PO Box 93176
      Des Moines, Iowa 50393-3176
      Iowa's Water & Land Legacy, a project of The Conservation Campaign
     

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