FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan. 9, 2018

Contact: Joe Jayjack at jjayjack@inhf.org

Conservation & Outdoor Recreation Leaders Praise Focus on Water Quality, Say Now is the Time to “Fund the Trust”

Tammi Kircher, on behalf of Iowa’s Water and Land Legacy (IWILL) Coalition, a broad-based coalition of leaders and organizations from the conservation, outdoor recreation, agriculture and business communities, today issued the following statement regarding Governor Kim Reynolds’ Condition of the State address. Kircher, of Keokuk, is the State Chair for Iowa Ducks Unlimited.

“We are encouraged that Gov. Reynolds’ first priority in her Condition of the State address emphasized the need for significant water quality legislation during the Iowa General Assembly’s 2018 session.

“Significant action to improve Iowa’s water quality and conservation efforts cannot occur without permanent funding, which is why Iowa voters established the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund in Iowa’s Constitution. Unfortunately, this Fund has sat empty since 63 percent of Iowa voters approved its creation in 2010. Now is the time for the governor and legislators to take the final step to include language in water quality legislation that funds Iowa’s Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund.

“Funding the Trust is the only solution for conservation that Iowa voters enshrined in our state’s Constitution. Funding the trust is the only solution that continues to have the support of seven out of ten Iowans. Funding the trust is the only solution that provides a dedicated funding source to ensure Iowans can have it all when it comes to clean water, productive agricultural soils and thriving wildlife habitats.

“Rare are the moments when a legislative session can have a generational impact on Iowans. Funding the Trust is that moment. Including the 3/8 cent sales tax increase in any legislation aimed at addressing water quality will help Iowa retain and recruit young people, strengthen our economy and improve our quality of life.

“Our broad-based coalition ranging from conservationists and sportspersons to farmers and business leaders stands ready to work with Gov. Reynolds and Iowa legislators to deliver a water quality and conservation victory for all Iowans.”

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