Iowa DNR News

State Preserves Advisory Board

For immediate release Friday, August 24

PRESERVES BOARD IN OPPOSITION TO HIGHWAY 100 EXTENSION

The State Preserves Advisory Board voiced its opposition to the proposed

Highway 100 extension in Linn County.  The board cited concerns about the

impact the highway would have on Rock Island Preserve and Hanging Bog

Preserve.

Board members discussed the draft supplemental environmental impact

statement for the highway project prepared by the Iowa Department of

Transportation (DOT) and felt the DOT had not looked at adequate alternative

locations or done an adequate study of the impact on the area.

"The needs of the preserve extend beyond the boundaries of the preserve,"

said Laura Jackson, board member from Cedar Falls.

The board was further concerned that Rock Island Preserve was not designated

as a 4 F property, a federal designation for protected areas, and that could

impact future road projects.  "I am mystified as how the Federal Highway

Administration could conclude that," said Mike Smith, attorney with the Iowa

Attorney General's office.

Many board members said they were concerned about protecting the Byssus

Skipper, which is listed as threatened in Iowa.  Other concerns include the

impacts of noise from the highway and on wetlands in the area.

Dick Heft, Linn County Conservation Board chair, said it appears the draft

supplemental environmental impact statement was created in support of the

highway project and dismisses the preserve status.

Heft said the draft supplemental environmental impact statement was looking

at that specific corridor and not looking at other alternatives and that the

Linn County Conservation Board has not taken a position on which alternative

would be most preferred.

The board will send a letter with its comments and concerns to the DOT and

the Federal Highway Administration and will send a letter of opposition to

the Natural Resource Commission when it meets in Des Moines on Sept. 5.  In

a separate letter to the DOT and the FHA, the board will address the issue

of 4 F designations.