OSKALOOSA — Local candidates for county and state offices gave their views on conservation and how to support the state’s natural resources at a candidate forum Monday night at Penn Central Mall.

The Conservation Foundation of the Mahaska Community sponsored the forum and candidates spoke before an audience of about 40 people. The candidates answered questions on a variety of topics ranging from the funding of conservation programs to dove hunting.

One of the issues the state candidates commented on was how to adequately fund the state’s natural resources programs.

State Rep. Eric Palmer said he would be an advocate of the Resource Enhancement and Protection program.

“We need more funding for REAP,” he said. “I’m very committed.”

Other candidates voiced support for Senate Joint Resolution 2002, which would amend the state constitution to dedicate a portion of state revenue from sales tax to benefit the state’s natural resources.

Palmer’s Republican challenger, Danny Carroll, said the Legislature will have to cut budgets to bring runaway spending under control, so lawmakers need to find a source of conservation funding.

“We have to prioritize, find a dedicated source of funding,” Carroll said. He would support passage of the constitutional amendment.

“I would support the resolution,” Republican state Senate candidate Michael Hadley said of SJR 2002. Hadley is challenging incumbent Democratic state Sen. Tom Rielly. “We have to be better stewards of our finances,” he said. Hadley added that the resolution would not raise taxes.

Rielly said he would support the resolution.

“I do have some questions,” Rielly said. “It sounds like a good idea.”

Republican state Sen. Paul McKinley said funding natural resources is a priority.

“I voted for the constitutional amendment,” he said.

Republican state Rep. Richard Arnold also said he voted for the amendment.

In a written statement, Democratic State Senate candidate Deb Ballalatak said she would support SJR 2002.

In Mahaska County, the conservation board’s education programs are outgrowing the facility at the Russell Wildlife Area, and county supervisor candidates were asked what they would do to support the programs.

Incumbent Supervisor Willie Van Weelden said the effort to build a new conservation center began about a year ago. The MCCB received land for Caldwell Park on the eastside of Oskaloosa. He said the supervisors set aside between $20,000 an $25,000 a year for a new environmental center.

“We try to support conservation as money allows,” Van Weelden said.

Van Weelden’s challenger, Don De Heer, in a written statement said, “I therefore, would support a new and bigger facility, if it is not cost effective to enlarge the present facility.”

When asked how the state should protect Iowa’s natural resources from invasive species such as the Asian Carp or the Emerald Ash Borer, the state candidates agreed that public education was key.

There was a question-and-answer segment where the candidates fielded questions posed from the public. One question took aim at the establishment of a dove hunting season in Iowa.

“I’m in favor of a dove hunting season,” Palmer said. He added that the season should be properly managed.

Carroll said: “I’ve flip-flopped. I support dove season.”

Hadley said the state should use “good science” for “a controlled harvest.” If the numbers are right, “let’s have a season,” he said.

“I support dove hunting season,” McKinley said.

“I’ve supported dove hunting season,” Arnold said. “I’d like to try again.”

Ballalatak was the lone dissenter.

“Until the mourning doves become a public health risk, I would not support killing just for sport,” she said in a written statement.

Herald Editor Duane Nollen can be reached by email at oskynews@oskyherald.com