SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION

An effort is under way to extend a state sales tax for Missouri's parks and soil and water conservation. The one-tenth sales tax will expire in 1998. The Missouri Farm Bureau is leading a petition drive to put the tax back on the ballot in November 1996.

The tax, which generates more than $54 million in revenue each year, has served Missouri well. The state ranked among the top three in the nation in terms of soil erosion 10 years ago. Since that time, the revenue has allowed for considerable improvement, cutting Missouri's soil erosion rate in half through installation of nearly 80,000 conservation practices. This effort has saved more than 100 million tons of topsoil. The sales tax money has also permitted an increase in facilities and services at state-operated parks.

A proposal to put the measure back on the ballot died in the last legislative session. But that effort was burdened with unnecessary issues, including a redistribution of money to fund urban park development. The real issue is soil and water conservation, and that most often occurs in rural Missouri. The current tax must send half the dollars collected to soil conservation efforts. This focus shouldn't be altered by legislative shenanigans.

The Farm Bureau is obviously very aware of the wording and the impact the tax has had on rural Missouri in terms of soil and water conservation. It seems a fitting group to lead the drive to put the measure back in the ballot. Petitioners must collect 180,000 signatures by July 5 to earn a spot on the ballot.

Missourians should have a chance to renew this tax and learn about all the benefits the state has reaped since its inception in 1988.