Labeling Regulations and Segregation of First- and, Second-Generation Genetically Modified Products: Innovation Incentives and Welfare Effects, April 2005

We review some of the most significant issues and results on the economic effects of genetically modified (GM) product innovation, with emphasis on the question of GM labeling and the need for costly segregation and identity preservation activities. The analysis is organized around an explicit model that can accommodate the features of both first-generation and second-generation GM products. The model accounts for the proprietary nature of GM innovations and for the critical role of consumer preferences vis-à-vis GM products, as well as for the impacts of segregation and identity preservation and the effects of a mandatory GM labeling regulation. We also investigate briefly a novel question in this setting, the choice of “research direction”when both cost-reducing and quality-enhancing GM innovations are feasible.

The Conservation Reserve Program in the Presence of a Working Land Alternative: Implications for Environmental Quality, Program Participation, and Income Transfer, August 2005

The United States has invested large sums of resources in multiple conservation programs for agriculture over the past century. In this paper we focus on the impacts of program interactions. Specifically, using an integrated economic and bio-physical modeling framework, we consider the impacts of the presence of working land programs on a land retirement for an important agricultural region—the Upper Mississippi River Basin (UMRB). Compared to a land retirement only program, we find that the presence of a working land program for conservation tillage results in significantly lower predicted signups for land retirement at a given rental rate. We also find that the presence of both a large working land and land retirement program can result in more environmental benefits and income transfers than a land retirement only program can achieve.

Stronger Communities through Innovation and Creativity, 2006

This FY2007 budget will continue progress toward growing Iowa’s economy, improving student achievement and expanding health care security. With your cooperation last year we enacted the Strong Start program, the Watershed Improvement Review Board, the Iowa Values Fund, Iowa Cares, the Meth Control Act, a balanced budget and other initiatives which made for a very productive session. In a spirit of cooperation we deliver the FY2007 budget at the start of the session to allow more time for your consideration.

Adoption Subsidies and Environmental Impacts of Alternative Energy Crops, March 2007

We provide estimates of the costs associated with inducing substantial conversion of land from production of traditional crops to switchgrass. Higher traditional crop prices due to increased demand for corn from the ethanol industry has increased the relative advantage that row crops have over switchgrass. Results indicate that farmers will convert to switchgrass production only with significant conversion subsidies. To examine potential environmental consequences of conversion, we investigate three stylized landscape usage scenarios, one with an entire conversion of a watershed to switchgrass production, a second with the entire watershed planted to continuous corn under a 50% removal rate of the biomass, and a third scenario that places switchgrass on the most erodible land in the watershed and places continuous corn on the least erodible. For each of these illustrative scenarios, the watershed-scale Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) hydrological model (Arnold et al., 1998; Arnold and Forher, 2005) is used to evaluate the effect of these landscape uses on sediment and nutrient loadings in the Maquoketa Watershed in eastern Iowa.

Impact of High Crop Prices on Environmental Quality: A Case of Iowa and the Conservation Reserve Program, 2007

Growing demand for corn due to the expansion of ethanol has increased concerns that environmentally sensitive lands retired from agricultural production into the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) will be cropped again. Iowa produces more ethanol than any other state in the United States, and it also produces the most corn. Thus, an examination of the impacts of higher crop prices on CRP land in Iowa can give insight into what we might expect nationally in the years ahead if crop prices remain high. We construct CRP land supply curves for various corn prices and then estimate the environmental impacts of cropping CRP land through the Environmental Policy Integrated Climate (EPIC) model. EPIC provides edge-of-field estimates of soil erosion, nutrient loss, and carbon sequestration. We find that incremental impacts increase dramatically as higher corn prices bring into production more and more environmentally fragile land. Maintaining current levels of environmental quality will require substantially higher spending levels. Even allowing for the cost savings that would accrue as CRP land leaves the program, a change in targeting strategies will likely be required to ensure that the most sensitive land does not leave the program.

Frequently asked Questions about Beach Monitoring for Environmental Prefessionals, 2003

This fact sheet answers questions such as, is it safe to swim in the water and who is monitoring the beaches in Iowa

Audit report on the ADLM Counties Environmental Public Health Agency for the year ended June 30, 2007

Audit report on the ADLM Counties Environmental Public Health Agency for the year ended June 30, 2007

Waste Reduction, Construction and Demolition Debris: Guide for Building, Construction and Environmental Professionals, Revised November 2008

This document is intended to lay the foundation for resource reduction strategies in new construction, renovation and demolition. If you have an innovative idea or information that you believe should be included in future updates of this manual please email Shelly Codner at scodner@region12cog.org or Jan Loyson at Jan.Loyson@Iowalifechanging.com. Throughout this manual, we use the term “waste reduction” to define waste management initiatives that will result in less waste going to the landfill. In accordance with the waste management hierarchy these practices include reducing (waste prevention), reusing (deconstruction and salvage), recycling and renewing (making old things new again) - in that order. This manual will explain what these practices are and how to incorporate them into your projects.

IOWA Environmental Guide for Business,

Growing Iowa’s economy and sustaining vibrant healthy communities depends upon protecting the state’s environmental and natural resources. The Iowa Environmental Guide is designed to identify Iowa’s environmental compliance requirements and to provide expert resources to assist you with sustainable business solutions that protect the environment and enhance your bottom-line. The Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED) Business and Regulatory Assistance Team is a non-regulatory, confidential point of contact to assist your company or organization in identifying permitting requirements, finding expert resources, communicating with the appropriate agencies, and in establishing a productive partnership with Iowa state government.

Environmental Services - Recycling Technical Assistance,

Iowa is one of the more progressive recycling states in the U.S. due in large part to its environmental technical assistance programs for business. The Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED), Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), the Recycle Reuse Technology Transfer Center (RRTTC) and the Iowa Waste Reduction Center (IWRC) work together to offer services that help businesses save money, increase operational efficiencies, enhance regulatory compliance and manage difficult waste management issues.

Small Business Environmental Assistance Program, 2007

IDED can assist you and your business, municipality, school or hospital to come into compliance with state environmental regulations. We can serve as a liaison between you and the state of Iowa, being a portal to information sources that answer environmental questions and needs.

Audit report on the ADLM Counties Environmental Public Health Agency for the year ended June 30, 2008

Audit report on the ADLM Counties Environmental Public Health Agency for the year ended June 30, 2008

Audit report on the ADLM Counties Environmental Public Health Agency for the year ended June 30, 2009

Audit report on the ADLM Counties Environmental Public Health Agency for the year ended June 30, 2009

Environmental Services - Recycling Technical Assistance, 2010

Iowa is one of the more progressive recycling states in the U.S. due in large part to its environmental technical assistance programs for business. The Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED), Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), the Recycle Reuse Technology Transfer Center (RRTTC) and the Iowa Waste Reduction Center (IWRC) work together to offer services that help businesses save money, increase operational efficiencies, enhance regulatory compliance and manage difficult waste management issues.

Small Business Environmental Assistance Program, 2010

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