(Note from WB: Handouts, also known as bribes, but called 'grants,' 'landowner incentives,' or whatever. It's still the same.)

February 28, 2003

By The Associated Press

Washington, D.C. - Sen. Chuck Grassley announced Thursday that the Iowa Department of Natural Resources will receive a total of $1,080,000 through the Landowner Incentive Grant Program. This funding is awarded through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The Landowner Incentive Program awards grants to state wildlife agencies to establish or supplement existing landowner incentive programs -- that provide technical or financial assistance, including habitat protection and restoration, to private landowners -- for the protection and management of habitat to benefit at-risk species that live on private lands.

"This funding is important to help protect the threatened species in Iowa," Grassley said. "Providing incentives for private land owners to protect Iowa's wildlife is an effective way for the federal government to encourage environmental protection."

The grants are divided into two tiers.

Tier 1 grants provide funding for states to establish or enhance an existing landowner incentive program.

Tier 2 grants provide funding to implement landowner incentive programs or fund the expansion of existing programs.

Iowa was awarded $180,000 for Tier 1 and $900,000 for Tier 2, for a total of $1,080,000.

 http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=7218698&BRD=2035&PAG=461&dept_id=416044&rfi=6