Conservation Policy Priorities for 2012
The more than 39,000 members of the Izaak Walton League of America (IWLA) are committed to advancing common sense policies that conserve wildlife and habitat, support community-based conservation, and promote outdoor recreation. In 2012, the League’s conservation policy priorities fall within four broad categories:
Improving Agricultural Conservation
In the 2012 Farm Bill:
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Include “Sodsaver” provision that makes land without a prior cropping history, including native prairie, ineligible for federal crop insurance subsidies.
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Make federal crop insurance subsidies subject to conservation compliance requirements that safeguard water quality, wetlands, and soil.
Safeguarding Clean Water
- Support U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidance and rulemaking to restore Clean Water Act protections to streams, wetlands, and other waters that are now at risk following U.S. Supreme Court decisions in SWANCC and Rapanos.
- Oppose Congressional actions that would limit or prohibit EPA or the Corps from using their administrative authority to restore Clean Water Act protections.
Restoring the
- Support policy changes in the
Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) that
will save taxpayers billions of dollars by
providing alternatives to unnecessary locks
proposed for construction along the upper
- Support investment in river
restoration on the
Promoting a Clean Energy Future
- Actively defend
- Lead efforts in Minnesota to transition away from antiquated and inefficient coal-fired power plants through cleaner generation alternatives, including natural gas and renewable resources, and improved energy efficiency and conservation.
The League and its members will
be working to advance these policies at the
national, regional, and state levels throughout
2012.