Iowa took a step closer to becoming at least the fourth state to dedicate tax revenue to conservation when its House of Representatives approved the Natural Resource and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund act.
The bill, now headed to the governor for signing, sets clear guidelines for the distribution of up to $150 million in funds from a proposed new sales tax voters will consider on November’s ballot.
Iowas House of Representatives passed Monday the Natural Resource and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund Act (SF 2310) by an overwhelming bipartisan margin of 92-7, following a unanimous 50-0 passage by the Senate in late February. Voters will get to vote on this bill during the general ballot election on November 2, 2010.
The bill broadly defines that trust fund monies be allocated and invested toward protection and enhancement of Iowas natural resources and outdoor recreational amenities. These recommendations were based on specific natural resource needs and current funding limitations estimated at approximately $150 million per year. According to the advisory committee, Iowa ranks 47th out of 50 states nationally in current conservation spending and 49th in total public land ownership.
This will help accelerate the conservation of wetlands, shallow lakes, wildlife management areas and other important waterfowl habitats in Iowa, said Steve Adair, Ducks Unlimited director of the Great Plains Regional Office.
At least three other states have amended their respective constitutions to provide dedicated funding for habitat conservation including Missouri in 1976, Arkansas in 1996 and Minnesota in 2008.
