Somehow, the DOT and the company writing the Supplemental Environmental
Impact Statement for the Highway 100 Extension determined that a State
Preserve does not qualify for a 4(f) designation.  State Preserve is the
highest level of protection offered in Iowa.

The recent "Iowa Conservationist" magazine of the Iowa DNR has a lengthy
article about the "greening" of the DOT.  Let's see, what do we call this?
Jane Clark


Iowa DNR News
State Preserves Advisory Board

For immediate release Friday, August 24

For more information, contact Daryl Howell, 515-281-8524.

PRESERVES BOARD IN OPPOSITION TO HIGHWAY 100 EXTENSION

DES MOINES - 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 designat

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