Iowa leaves conservation dollars on the table

I had the privilege of serving the citizens of Storm Lake for 28 years — 18 of those as mayor. During my time in city government, finding innovative and effective ways to restore, protect and maximize our natural resources was always a top priority. As a member of the Advisory Committee on Sustainable Natural Resource Funding, we developed the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund to address unmet needs of our state’s soil health and water quality programs.

As a small-town mayor, I’ve seen these programs completely reverse the fortunes of our city. When we decided to invest in green infrastructure — to include restoring the lake upon which our city resides — it not only improved water quality and wildlife habitat, it revitalized outdoor recreation and helped turn Storm Lake into a genuine tourist attraction in northwest Iowa. The goal with the trust is simple — replicate the environmental and economic success in small towns like Storm Lake across the entire state, where all Iowans can benefit.

In 2010, Iowa voters approved a ballot measure to establish Iowa’s Water and Land Legacy Initiative (IWILL) that creates a sales tax increase to fund the trust. More than a decade later, however, it’s yet to receive a single dime. As a result, there are many fantastic projects across our state that are now stagnant, waiting to receive funding.

The stakes for Iowa are incredibly high. Through the inaction of our legislators from both sides of the aisle, we’ve already wasted more than a decade and lost over a billion dollars for conservation — and time is of the essence. Look no further than Iowa’s continually disappearing habitat for waterfowl and other wildlife and consider that, today, only 10 percent of Iowa’s historic wetlands remain. Funding the Trust will support crucial restoration projects that will not only strengthen our workforce and help grow our local economies, but it also will help us recover lost resources and protect those that remain.

In the court of public opinion, Iowa’s legislators have nothing to fear — IWILL is incredibly popular. The 2010 ballot measure was approved with the support of 63% of Iowa voters. For reference, many Americans recognize Iowa as a bellwether state in national politics due to our status as first-in-the-nation contest for presidential candidates. In the last 12 presidential elections dating back to 1976, no candidate in Iowa has received more than 55 percent of the vote in the general election — not Ronald Reagan, not Barack Obama, not Donald Trump or Joe Biden. But at 63 percent, IWILL is a bipartisan mandate.

They want to see wetlands, lakes and rivers restored, not forgotten. They want to see wildlife thrive and outdoor recreation activities boom, not slowly wither away.

This is about improving the health of our soil and water, providing habitat for fish and wildlife and providing outdoor recreation opportunities for citizens throughout Iowa. Perhaps most importantly, it’s about improving the quality of life for all Iowans.

Iowa legislators, listen to the will of an overwhelming majority of Iowans — fund the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust.

Jon Kruse is the former Mayor of Storm Lake.