Here's how budget ax has fallen at the Leopold Center

The Leopold Center has two lines of funding. The primary source is the Agricultural Management Account (AMA) of the Groundwater Protection Fund created by the 1987 Iowa Groundwater Protection Act. The legislation set a fee on sales of nitrogen fertilizer and pesticides to support nearly 20 environmental programs, which includes the Leopold Center. The Leopold Center's average annual revenue from the AMA fund, based on the last five years, is about $1.2 million.

The Leopold Center's second source of funds is a line item appropriation from the legislature's educational funding, or General Purpose Revenue (GPR). The Leopold Center's average annual GPR income, based on the last five years, is about $569,000.

The Leopold Center has maintained a financial reserve that allows us to honor FY 2003 commitments for research already approved and in progress. This allows researchers time to finish the projects or find other support for their work.

Since 1988, the Leopold Center has issued a Request for Proposals (RFPs) for new projects every year. No new RFPs will be issued until further notice. The Center also has eliminated funding for its educational event grant program and pilot educational programs, and will not hold any statewide conferences.

Grants from outside groups may be in jeopardy due to the Leopold Center's uncertain future and inability to assure adequate matching funds.

Leopold Center Budget Cuts
	FY 2002*	FY 2003**	TOTALS
AMA	$250,000	$1,000,000	$1,250,000
GPR	$35,700	$56,300	$92,000
* FY 2002 runs July 1, 2001 through June 30, 2002. **FY 2003 runs July 1, 2002 through June 30, 2003.
NOTE: The $1 million cut from the Leopold Center's AMA account was approved during the May 28, 2002, special session. The money will be transferred to the state's General Fund. All figures are current as of presstime.