DU Supports Sustainable Funding Legislation In Iowa
DES MOINES Iowa – -(OutDoorWire.com)- Ducks Unlimited enthusiastically endorses the sustainable funding legislation currently gaining momentum during the 2009 Iowa legislative session. DU members and staff have been working with other individuals, groups and agencies for years planning this constitutional amendment to create a Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund.
“This legislation is the culmination of a thoughtful and inclusive process to identify the funding needs for wetlands and other important natural resources in Iowa,” said Eric Lindstrom, DU regional biologist. “After the devastating floods of 2008, we are reminded of the importance of our natural resource infrastructure and the need to invest more resources to ensure their viability for future generations.”
Legislators on both sides of the aisle overwhelmingly supported the measure in 2008. Before voters have the opportunity to adopt the amendment, the legislation must be passed in identical form by the general assembly a second time. DU is working with a broad coalition to build public and legislative support to accomplish this goal.
“We applaud legislative leaders’ continued bipartisan cooperation this year to quickly move this legislation out of committee and toward a floor vote for a second consecutive year,” said Joe Satrom, DU director of public policy. “We are optimistic the legislation will pass both houses this session and allow voters the chance to chart a new direction for natural resources and conservation in Iowa.”
At least three other states have amended their constitutions to provide long-term funding for natural resource conservation including Missouri, Arkansas and Minnesota. For more information about sustainable funding, visit: www.iowadnr.gov/sustainablefunding/index.html
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With more than a million supporters, Ducks Unlimited is the world’s largest and most effective wetland and waterfowl conservation organization with more than 12 million acres conserved. The United States alone has lost more than half of its original wetlands ? nature’s most productive ecosystem ? and continues to lose more than 80,000 wetland acres each year.