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Perhaps your interview covered this, but as to strategy: Have the proponents of HF 2029 obtained any backing from CDI (Conservation Districts of Iowa)? The lobbying day for all the soil and water conservation district commissioners is coming right up, on Feb 8, 2024. See cdiowa.org/event/iowa-c…
My humble suggestion is that without strong…
Perhaps your interview covered this, but as to strategy: Have the proponents of HF 2029 obtained any backing from CDI (Conservation Districts of Iowa)? The lobbying day for all the soil and water conservation district commissioners is coming right up, on Feb 8, 2024. See https://www.cdiowa.org/event/iowa-conservation-partnership-day/
My humble suggestion is that without strong buy-in from CDI, the legislation will not pass. The Commissioners are the ultimate enforcement body, if my scan of the legislation is correct.
I think this is a worthy piece of legislation and a baby step. But even it will not go far if Iowa's political climate devolves into what we see in France right now between farmers and environmental groups. Blockades by farmers and throwing soup at the Mona Lisa.....stuff that really just riles everyone up....makes good press, but solves few of the sticky issues.
Great point Josiah. here are the declarations right now.
Bill LSB Number Lobbyist Declaration Client Date Comments
HF 2029 5487YH Dane Schumann For Izaak Walton League - Iowa Division 01/23/2024 07:55 PM
HF 2029 5487YH Threase Harms For Iowa Environmental Council 01/23/2024 09:57 AM
HF 2029 5487YH Chelsea Hoye For Iowa Environmental Council 01/23/2024 09:57 AM
HF 2029 5487YH Jefferson Fink Undecided Coalition for Iowa Woodlands and Trees 01/14/2024 03:18 PM
HF 2029 5487YH James Obradovich Undecided Coalition for Iowa Woodlands and Trees 01/14/2024 03:18 PM
HF 2029 5487YH Victoria Sinclair Undecided Coalition for Iowa Woodlands and Trees 01/14/2024 03:18 PM
HF 2029 5487YH Pam Mackey-Taylor For Iowa Chapter of Sierra Club 01/13/2024 10:32 AM
HF 2029 5487YH Todd Coffelt Undecided Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources
And what other groups might care? Pheasants Forever? Is there an umbrella group for county conservation boards? I would normally suggest Practical Farmers of Iowa, but I believe they shy away from lobbying.
So I wonder whether the proponents started lobbying their soil district commissioners last spring/summer or so, when CDI sends each county board a questionnaire asking their priorities? If CDI doesn’t have this on its radar by now, the legislature may not hear about it....from the farmers who would be most apt to support it.
I think it is going to take an organized efforts by one of the groups who have the interest and the connections to make it happen. Chris Jones had a companion post today that is really good. https://riverraccoon.substack.com/p/interview-with-bob-leonard Hopefully someone will take the ball and run. Thanks Josiah.