(DES MOINES) - Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad today announced the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEMD) submitted an appeal to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the reconsideration of an earlier FEMA decision to deny funding to four rural electric cooperatives (REC) in northwest Iowa in the aftermath of an ice storm that struck the state earlier this year.

The April 9, 2013, storm caused millions of dollars in damage to electrical utility lines in five Iowa counties: Dickinson, Lyon, O'Brien, Osceola and Sioux. The damage was so extensive that a Presidential Disaster Declaration was issued on May 6, 2013.

FEMA originally denied funding to restore the downed utility lines in the amount of $19 million on Aug. 30, 2013. The reason FEMA gave for the denial was because the utilities did not conduct "comprehensive laboratory testing."

"We hope FEMA will come to a fair and just decision regarding this REC appeal," said Governor Terry Branstad. "This funding is important for the recovery of Iowa communities. Denying such assistance could result in a financial burden for the customers of these cooperatives."

HSEMD filed the appeal in conjunction with Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative, Lyon Rural Electric Cooperative, Osceola Electric Cooperative, and Sanborn Electric and Telecommunications Utility. FEMA has 90 days from the date they receive the appeal to make an evaluation and then, issue a determination.

The Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management leads, coordinates and supports homeland security and emergency management functions in order to establish sustainable communities and ensure economic opportunities for Iowa and its citizens.

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Encourages Illinois Residents Affected by Storms to Register for Assistance

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today announced more than $1 million in federal aid has been approved to date to help people and households affected by the Nov. 17 tornadoes and severe storms. Federal grants totaling $1.06 million thus far will help with disaster-related expenses such as temporary home rental, home repairs and replacement of damaged personal property items.

"These grants are helping people put their lives back together after the deadly tornadoes," Governor Quinn said. "This federal aid is critical to the recovery process and I appreciate the Obama Administration's efforts to accelerate needed relief to people affected by the tornadoes. I urge everyone who suffered damage or loss to register for federal aid today."

Governor Quinn successfully secured federal aid for 15 counties just nine days after an Illinois November record of 25 tornadoes caused widespread destruction across the state. The federal disaster declaration includes Champaign, Douglas, Fayette, Grundy, Jasper, LaSalle, Massac, Pope, Tazewell, Vermilion, Wabash, Washington, Wayne, Will and Woodford counties.

Anyone affected by the Nov. 17 tornadoes and severe storms is encouraged to register for federal assistance. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which administers the assistance program, has a toll-free telephone number 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) (for hearing and speech impaired) to apply for assistance. Registration also can be done online at disasterassistance.gov or by smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov. The deadline to register for federal disaster aid is Jan. 27, 2014.

In addition to FEMA grants, disaster survivors may be eligible for low-interest loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), which were also made available under the federal disaster declaration.

Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) are open in Brookport, East Peoria and Rantoul to help people apply for disaster aid and find out about other disaster programs available from SBA, state and local agencies and voluntary organizations. FEMA disaster assistance specialists are also available through Saturday Dec. 14 at the Diamond Village Hall to help tornado survivors.

For more information about locations of the DRCs and Diamond assistance center, visit Ready.Illinois.gov.

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Forty years ago on December 28, 1973,  the most important wildlife protection measure in U.S. history was signed into law by President Richard Nixon, who marked the occasion by issuing the following statement: "Nothing is more priceless and more worthy of preservation than the rich array of animal life with which our country has been blessed."

That's the point of view that helped give rise to the Endangered Species Act. The long list of species it has helped save from extinction includes birds such as the Peregrine Falcon, Wood Stork, Kirtland's Warbler, California Condor, and N?n? (Hawaiian goose). Other well-known beneficiaries of the ESA include Louisiana black bear and black-footed ferret. The need for the ESA is proven by the fact that in the United States and its coastal waters, scientific studies have resulted in nearly 1,500 plants and animals being added to the federal list of threatened or endangered species. That should come as no surprise given the global extinction crisis.

The ESA protects these plants and animals by protecting their natural habitats. Sometimes, but not always, that is a process that puts limits on proposals to develop certain portions of those landscapes.  It's also a process that has helped prevent the extinction of 99 percent of the plants and animals it has been used to protect, including irreplaceable but less charismatic species ranging from Okaloosa darter to Maguire daisy and Lake Erie water snake.

In other words, when this law is allowed to work as it was designed to, it has been remarkably effective. Unfortunately, the ESA has been undercut for years by high-profile critics. Some of these critics blame the ESA (falsely) for larger economic problems. Some would gladly sacrifice rare species and their habitats in order to boost short-term profits.

Allies of these critics in the U.S. Congress have repeatedly slashed funding for the ESA listing and enforcement process, which has been admirably carried out by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service. Under the Obama administration, problems linked to funding cuts have been compounded by a series of controversial ESA listing proposals. For various reasons, those proposals fail to protect species in desperate need of conservation measures, such as the Lesser Prairie Chicken, Streaked Horned Lark, western Yellow-billed Cuckoo, a distinct bi-state population of the Greater Sage-Grouse, and Northern Spotted Owl.

In Congress, bills that would destroy the ESA's effectiveness have been unveiled repeatedly in recent years. The latest example is the "Endangered Species Management Self-Determination Act," which was recently re-introduced in both the House (H.R. 3533) and Senate (S. 31731). This bill would require governors and Congress to sign off on all new endangered species listings, and it would allow governors to take over management of species that reside solely inside their states' borders. On top of that, this bill would automatically remove protected plants and animals from the Endangered Species List after five years. The bill has little chance of passing this Congress and effectively turns biological and ecological decision-making into politically motivated decision-making.

Changes such as these could undo much of the good work done since 1973. If that happens, we will lose the wildlife that Richard Nixon called "a many-faceted treasure, of value to scientists, scholars and nature lovers alike ... a vital part of the heritage we share as Americans."

Dr. George Fenwick, President

American Bird Conservancy

1731 Conn. Avenue, NW

Washington, D.C. 20009

202-234-7181

American Bird Conservancy (ABC) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit membership organization whose mission is to conserve native birds and their habitats throughout the Americas. ABC acts by safeguarding the rarest species, conserving and restoring habitats, and reducing threats, while building capacity in the bird conservation movement.