Iowa DNR News

Wednesday, September 5

COMMISSION HAS QUESTIONS ON THE PROPOSED HIGHWAY 100 PROJECT

DES MOINES - Members of the Natural Resource Commission said today, they

have concerns about the potential impact the proposed Highway 100 extension

in northwest Cedar Rapids would have on two nearby state preserves, Rock

Island Botanical Preserve and Hanging Bog Preserve.

Commissioners said they wondered why Rock Island Botanical Preserve was not

given protected 4 F status, a federal designation for protected areas, by

the Federal Highway Commission, and were concerned about the impact the

highway would have on the byssus skipper, a butterfly listed as threatened

in Iowa.  They requested the DNR to coordinate efforts with the Iowa

Department of Transportation to identify additional alignment alternatives.