January 31, 2012
Don Brazelton, Roz Lehman and myself met with the Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Policy Advisor yesterday – we were well received. We discussed the DNR river programs and the need for funding for river restoration similar to the very successful lake restoration program, the economic value of recreation on the river and the health benefits of outdoor/river activities. The governor listened and had some stories, one being of growing up on the Winnebago and building a raft. He also suggested that we set up a foundation to provide matching funds for state funds.
We then discussed our opposition to Lake Delhi. The Governor has committed to the residents because of the very strong local support. However, they were all shocked to hear about the lake sewage issue, which seemed to carry some weight. Fish passage carried a little weight, as his youngest son is an angler. Also, good public access seemed very important.
I later met with my Senator, Daryl Beall (Senate Infrastructure Vice-Chair). He has not had a single constituent concern about Lake Delhi (except for mine). I also met with Senator Matt McCoy (Senate Infrastructure Chair). Stopping the state funding to rebuild the Delhi Dam looks difficult-both Democrats and Republicans are in support of funding for political reasons. If the citizens of Delaware County reject county bonding for the project, legislative support would be weakened. The county supervisors will have a public meeting on Feb 29 to discuss a bond of $3,000,000 for Lake Delhi. If they move forward on a bond, it is very likely the state funding $5,000,000 will be approved by the legislature.
We are strongly opposing the rebuilding of the dam. We will also be demanding the legislature address the sewage problem, fish passage requirement, public access in the lower half of lake, and county responsibility for maintenance and dredging. Lack of maintenance and inspection contributed to the dam failing. The $350,000 engineering report recommends building a new dam to a medium-risk level. If this unsustainable project is rebuilt, we believe it should be built to high-risk specifications so it will never fail again and destroy so much downstream. See today’s Des Moines Register’s letter-to-the-editor: Rebuilding Delhi dam is not a duty for Iowa taxpayers.
River Restoration – We have some legislative support for funding for river restoration. We need you talking with your legislators about the importance of rivers and the need for restoration funding.
IRR will be advocating for a $1M appropriation for river restoration and dam mitigation programs. Your contacts to the Governor and your local legislators will help show support for river-related legislative priorities. The Governor has provided no funding in his budget for river-related programs and priorities for 2013. Your contacts now to the Governor and your legislators can help influence support for these decisions.
IRR Legislative Reception -- 5-7 pm, Monday, Feb. 13, Des Moines
YOU are invited to attend, and we hope you invite your lawmakers to join us whether you can attend or not. The Legislative Reception is a great opportunity for river enthusiasts and supporters to talk with Iowa legislators about Iowa’s rivers – and for us to emphasize that rivers provide many economic, health, environmental, community, recreational, and spiritual benefits and connections.
At the Legislative reception, we also will recognize Charles City as "River Town of the Year." (The main award presentation will be Feb. 3 in Charles City.) The River Town of the Year award recognizes the vision and the efforts of Charles City officials and citizens to enhance the city’s connections with the Cedar River. IRR will highlight how Charles City has embraced the Cedar and is protecting it for future generations – demonstrating for lawmakers the importance and need for State funding to help Iowa communities with local river restoration projects. For more information about Charles City and their riverside attractions, visit: http://ccwhitewater.com/.
When: Monday, Feb. 13, 5-7 p.m.
Where: Noodle Zoo Cafe -- East 6th and Locust,
Open to the public. Light appetizers and beverages provided.
LOBBYIST REPORT from Don Brazelton
LEAD SHOT RULE. SJR 2001 passed the SNRC 9-3 and HJR 2001 17-4. Goes to the full S & H.
DNR DIRECTOR LANDE PRESENTATION. Director Lande stated that the deer harvest was down again this past season as it was the season before. He stated the department is hearing from hunters that deer numbers are down & some hunters are questioning if the deer herd reduction has gone too far. He reported that the Deer Study Task Force Committee would be reconvened to review various deer issues. He also reported that pheasant counts are the lowest since counts have been made.
AG & NATURAL RESOURCES BUDGET SUBCOM. The Conservation Districts of Iowa, the State Soil Conservation Comm & the Secretary of Ag made presentations this week.
FUNNEL DATES. HCR 1 moves the funnel dates up one week. Passed H & S. The first funnel date when bills must be out of committees of the originating chamber is Feb 17. The second date when bills must be out of committees of the opposite chamber is Mar 9. Exceptions to funnel dates include appropriations bills and ways & means bills among others.
NATURAL RES, OUTDOOR REC …
SJR 2001, HJR 2001, LEAD SHOT BAN. Nullifies the NRC rule banning the use of lead shot during the mourning dove season. Passed SNR subcom & HNR subcom. Goes to full S & H for debate.
SF 2002, LAKE DELHI. Appropriates $2.5 million from RIIF in FY 2013 & 2014 to the DNR for the Lake Delhi dam reconstruction. SAC. No subcom assigned as yet.
SSB 3051, HUNTING & FISHING LICENSES. CORRECTED LICENSE AMOUNTS. Establishes a 3-year fishing license at $51 including fish habitat and 3-year hunting license at $84 including the habitat fee. Establishes an annual hunting & fishing combination license at $60 including habitat fees plus a subscription to Iowa Outdoors. Allows a third fishing line for $10. SNR subcom-Dearden, Black, Hamerlinck
SSB 3052, DNR PROHIBITIONS & CHANGES. Sets penalties for certain destructive acts on land or water controlled by the NRC a simple misdemeanor with a scheduled $50 fine. Makes the use of some guns or fireworks in a state park a simple misdemeanor subject to a $50 fine. Removes mussels from the definition of bait & prohibits bait dealers from selling them & clams. Defines “pen-reared pheasants” to include only Chinese ring-necked pheasants. Authorizes the DNR to establish a target-shooting program to promote target shooting. Bans various license holders from trading or bartering turtles, turtle eggs and roe or roe species. Deletes gear tags but requires commercial fishers and turtle harvesters to tag their gear. Strikes provisions allowing the sale of falconry license to non-residents. Strikes provisions on the sale of certain islands and abandoned river channels. SNR subcom-Black, Seng, Kapucian
SF 2068 BALD EAGLE PENALITIES. Establishes civil penalties of $1,500 for killing, injuring or possessing a bald eagle without a permit. SNRC.
HSB 505, BANNING RULEMAKING. Prohibits an agency from adopting an administrative rule unless the unemployment rate is below 4% unless the agency determines that the rule is necessary to prevent immediate dangers to health and safety. HEG subcom-Baltimore, Jacoby, Smith.
SF 2014, FLOOD PREVENTION. Expands the power of county supervisors or the DOT to change the course of a waterway to avoid flooding as part of a highway project & authorizes use eminent domain. ST subcom-Hancock, Ernst, Reilly.
SSB 3091, RENAMES THE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. Renames the Geological Survey the Sandrock Center for Land and Water Science. Makes the state geologist a gubernatorial appointment. Locates the Center in Iowa City. Outlines the Center’s duties. SSG subcom-Danielson, Chelgren, McCoy.
SUMMARY
Governor Terry Branstad: 515.281.5211 or http://www.governor.iowa.gov/contact/
Iowa General Assembly (find a bill): http://www.legis.iowa.gov/index.aspx
Iowa Senators and Representatives: Find your legislators (if you would like a spreadsheet of all the current legislators, please let me know)
Iowa Senate: 515.281.3371
Iowa House: 515.281.3221
Please share this legislative update with individuals, organizations or groups that would be interested in receiving this information.
Thank you!
Rosalyn Lehman
Executive Director
Iowa Rivers Revival
PO Box 72, Des Moines, IA 50301
515-202-7720
rlehman@iowarivers.org
