All -

As many of you may know, a proposed amendment to an Ag & Natural
Resources Appropriations Bill (SF467) threatens to gut a portion of the
REAP Open Spaces Program.

This amendment could severely reduce REAP funding of a multitude of
important recreational and natural resource conservation projects
including the state Protected Waters Program. Even (or especially) in
these difficult times, I think we'd all agree that these projects are
too important to put on the back shelf. These projects and acquisitions
add to the health and well-being of Iowa citizens, and often to our
watersheds, and collectively add millions of dollars to local economies.

I hope you can take a moment to to express your opposition to this
amendment. If you don't have the contact information for your
representative you can find it at http://www.legis.state.ia.us/FindLeg/


----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Mark Ackelson <mackelson@...>
Sent: Wednesday, April 8, 2009 11:15:31 AM
Subject: REAP Open Space and Protected Water Areas Program Under Attack

Representative DeBoef, representing all or portions of Keokuk , Iowa ,
Tama & Poweshiek Counties, filed amendment H-1460 to SF 467 (Ag &
Natural Resources Approps Bill). The amendment allows the REAP Open
Spaces Account to pay property taxes due on DNR land acquisitions and
the remainder would revert to the General Fund. This would eliminate
the $5 million Public/Private Cost-share land acquisition, the Protected
Waters Area program, and the remainder has been traditionally been split
50% land acquisition and 50% DNR development projects. Lately the
funding has gone for more development projects.

This amendment will essentially break the long-standing REAP formula
(which the REAP assemblies and congress and every partner and agency has
sworn from the beginning that they will resist at every turn) by
selectively removing elements (which appears to be primarily directed at
IDNR) AND absolutely breaks the confidence of the public in the
legislature who has dedicated itself to REAP for two-decades!


Please alert users of DNR public land of this amendment and to contact
their representatives to oppose the amendment.


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www.skunkriverpaddlers.org
www.squawcreekwatershed.org