For your information, I am reposting the contents of a newly released
newsletter by the National Park Service about the Loess Hills Special
Resource Study.  To expedite computer-serving of this email, photos and
maps in the original newsletter have been deleted.

PLEASE TRY TO ATTEND A MEETING NEAR YOU -- ESPECIALLY THE ONE IN DES MOINES
Jane Clark
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*****
LOESS HILLS PUBLIC WORKSHOPS

All Workshops are to discuss Management Options for the Loess Hills and
will be conducted from 7:00pm-8:30pm unless otherwise noted.

November 13: Sioux City Convention Center, Sioux City IA

November 14: Moorhead Community Center, Moorhead, IA

November 15: Council Bluffs Public Library, Council Bluffs, IA

November 16: Embassy Suites on the River, Des Moines, IA
                   101 E Locust St.
                  *11:30am-1:00pm
November 16: Sidney High School, Sidney, IA


Loess Hills Evaluation Drafted

The Loess Hills Special Resource Study team has completed a preliminary
evaluation of the Loess Hills landform region in western Iowa. The
evaluation will be included in the Loess Hills Special Resource Study, a
report that will be submitted to Congress early next year. This study is a
result of a request from Congress to determine if the Loess Hills meets the
criteria for inclusion as a new unit of the National Park System. The
National Park Service (NPS) in consultation with members of state and local
agencies is coordinating this study.  Draft results and management options
will be discussed in a series of public workshops scheduled for November.
These management options are highlighted on pages 5-7 of this newsletter.

As you may recall from the last newsletter, public meetings were held to
identify issues, discuss concerns, and respond to questions associated with
the study process. Following these meetings natural and cultural resource
inventory data (geologic features, plant and animal communities, historic
and archaeological sites, etc.) associated with the Loess Hills region were
collected. Throughout this past summer, study team members began the
evaluation process, which included making a determination of site
significance, suitability and feasibility. These three elements serve as
the criteria used by the National Park Service to evaluate areas for
possible designation as a unit of the system. The evaluation must also
present and discuss a range of protection strategies, which include
management by local jurisdictions, state agencies, the NPS or a combination
of shared management. The strategies consider whether direct NPS management
or alternative protection by other public agencies!
 or the private sector is more appropriate.

The next critical step in the process is to host a series of public
workshops. The purpose of these workshops is to gather input and
suggestions for improving the options. Public review and comment on the
range of options is important at this stage and will be considered in the
final study.


Do the Loess Hills meet the National Park Service Criteria?

The National Park Service is responsible for carefully screening proposals
for new park units to assure that only the most outstanding natural or
cultural sites or resources are considered for addition to the National
Park System. To be eligible for favorable consideration as a unit of the
National Park System, an area must possess nationally significant natural
or cultural resources; be a suitable and feasible addition to the system;
and require direct NPS involvement.

Significance: An area is considered nationally significant if its natural
and/or cultural resources are unique and maintain a high degree of
integrity. The area must also possess exceptional value or quality in
illustrating or interpreting the natural or cultural themes of our Nation's
heritage.

The NPS study team has determined that the Loess Hills landform region is
nationally significant, as a geological formation not found elsewhere in
the United States. While loess occurs as a widespread geologic deposit, its
development in western Iowa is of such magnitude that it dominates the form
and substance of the landscape; the Loess Hills are the only place in the
country where loess actually constitutes the landform. The loess forms
unique topographic features extending for nearly 200 miles in a narrow band
adjacent to the Missouri River Valley. The layers of loess are
extraordinarily thick, as much as 200 feet in some places. Topographically,
the landscape is dominated by distinctive shapes: a corrugated series of
steep narrow ridge crests with alternating peaks and saddles along the
sharp crest lines; numerous steep side slopes and branching spurs; and
precipitous bluffs, some with sheer nearly vertical faces rising from the
adjoining Missouri River floodplain. The la!
ndform is an outstanding example of terrain formed by two fundamental
geological processes--wind and erosion. The extreme thickness of the loess
layers and the intricately carved terrain of the Loess Hills make them a
rare geologic feature not found anywhere else in the United States.
Additionally, the landform region supports an exceptionally diverse array
of biological communities, including significant remnant prairies. Finally,
the Loess Hills contain a rich and diverse prehistoric archeological record
that spans the last 12,000-13,000 years, which may be found nationally
significant after further study.

Suitability: To be suitable for inclusion, an area must represent a natural
or cultural theme or type of recreational resource that is not already
represented in the National Park System, or is not comparably represented
and protected by another land-managing entity. Additionally, it must also
offer superlative opportunities for public use and enjoyment, or for
scientific study.

The team's preliminary findings have deemed the entire Loess Hills landform
region as suitable. There is not a comparable geologic loess deposited
landform represented within the National Park System. Additionally, a
number of the intact remnant prairies, particularly those located along the
western slopes of the Loess Hills, contribute to the suitability of the
landform region. Because of its rarity and its high degree of site
integrity, the Loess Hills have an outstanding potential for scientific
research.

Feasibility: The feasibility determination analyzes the potential for
successful management. To be feasible as a new unit of the National Park
System, the area must be of sufficient size and appropriate configuration
to ensure long-term protection of the resources and to accommodate public
use. Important feasibility factors include land ownership, acquisition
costs, access, threats to the resource, socioeconomic impacts, and public
interest in acting to protect the area. For areas to be managed by the NPS,
special attention is given to the potential for the efficient
administration at reasonable cost.

Land-ownership in the Loess Hills includes a mix of state and county
governments and private entities.  The Nature Conservancy (TNC), a
non-profit organization, also manages land in the Loess  Hills. There are
over 35 designated recreation areas providing various recreational
opportunities within the boundaries of the Loess Hills.  The Loess Hills
National Scenic Byway includes a network of roadways that traverse more
than 220 miles through the Loess Hills. Approximately ninety-five percent
of the Loess Hills are in private ownership and five percent is in the
public domain (state/local).

Numerous threats to the resources of the Loess Hills are present. These
threats include urban sprawl, residential developments, mining, erosion,
overgrazing, and displacement of prairie species by non-native species.

Because there are multiple and overlapping jurisdictions, including state,
local and private ownership patterns present, the evaluation of feasibility
is challenging. Public interest in the study remains high and the NPS
remains committed to public involvement during all stages of the evaluation
process. Although this particular criterion is questionable, the NPS has
not completed its draft evaluation for the feasibility segment.

What is a Special Resource Study?

 Units of the National Park System are managed under mandates differing
from those guiding many other federal, state, and local agencies. The
National Park Service is responsible for managing areas that are nationally
significant to provide for public enjoyment in such a way that will leave
their natural and cultural environments  "unimpaired for the enjoyment of
future generations." A new national park area must meet selected criteria
for national significance, suitability and feasibility. A Special Resource
Study consists of a site evaluation and a discussion of management
alternatives. After authorization by Congress, the National Park Service,
in consultation with interested state and local agencies and the public,
conducts such studies. Management options also are presented in the study.
The purpose of the Loess Hills Special Resource Study is to determine the
suitability of the cultural and natural resources of Iowa's Loess Hills to
see if the area meets the criteria for!
 inclusion as a new unit of the National Park System. When the evaluation
is completed, the study will be transmitted to Congress.

Management Options
Consideration was given to a full range of likely management scenarios,
which could ensure the long-term preservation of the Loess Hills landform
region. Presently, six management options  (alternatives) have been crafted
for the Loess Hills area that are sympathetic to the concerns of private
property owners in the region and compatible with ongoing efforts of public
land managers. The draft management options presented below include a full
spectrum of alternatives, from locally controlled preservation, to the
establishment of a national reserve, managed jointly by a state and federal
partnership.

Alternative 1:
Local Government Units

Under this management alternative, local government units (LGUs) would
provide the cornerstone for efforts to preserve the Loess Hills. LGUs would
be accountable for preservation of the Hills through the development and
implementation of comprehensive plans and zoning ordinances that are
structured to provide protection to the resources. LGUs also would be
accountable for working with the State of Iowa to ensure that state
regulations, statutes, and programs that contribute to protection of the
Hills are effectively applied. The Loess Hills Alliance would support LGUs
in their efforts by implementing education, outreach, and grants programs.
Federal agencies such as the National Park Service (through its Rivers,
Trails and Conservation Assistance Program) and the Natural Resources
Conservation Service would provide technical assistance on various
conservation and education topics.

Alternative 2:
Joint Powers Board

This alternative could be modeled after the successful Mississippi
Headwaters Board, where a joint powers board has been established to
provide protection to the resources of the upper Mississippi River
(Minnesota). In the Loess Hills, the board would consist of representatives
from the seven counties located within the Loess Hills landform region. The
Board could be supported by a small staff (or by staff from one or more of
the member counties), and would be charged with preparing a comprehensive
management plan for the entire area. The Board also would develop a model
ordinance designed to protect the various resources of the Loess Hills.
Member counties could adopt this model ordinance as part of their
individual zoning codes. The Board would have review (but not veto)
authority over land use decisions within the landform region. It also could
provide member counties with assistance with education and outreach
programs for the purpose of increasing understanding and apprec!
iation of the Loess Hills landform and its resources, and to assist
landowners in developing best management practices to protect the Loess
Hills. An advisory  committee would provide support to the Board. Members
of the committee could include various non-governmental organizations,
landowners, developers, etc. Federal agencies such as the National Park
Service (through its Rivers Trails and Conservation Assistance Program) and
the Natural Resources Conservation Service could provide technical
assistance on various conservation and education topics.

Alternative 3:
Entire Landform Region A National Reserve

This alternative is similar in character to the Pinelands National Reserve
(New Jersey). Under this alternative Congress would designate the entire
Loess Hills landform region as a National Reserve (and, thereby, become an
affiliated area of the National Park System) with land ownership remaining
a blend of state, local and private entities. Protection of the Loess Hills
as a National Reserve would be accomplished through a dynamic
state/local-federal partnership.  Management of the Reserve would be led by
a special entity, identified as part of the legislation that would
establish the Reserve. This "management entity" could be authorized as a
special unit of state government, or it could be a unique organization
defined by parameters specified by Congress. Federal involvement also could
be specified as part of the authorizing legislation, and could likely
include some combination of National Park Service technical assistance,
funding assistance, planning leadership, and/or re!
source assessment. The Loess Hills Scenic Byway could evolve as the
"thread" that winds its way through the landform, tying the Reserve
together.

Alternative 4:
Special Landscape Areas as a National Reserve, Balance of Landform
Protected by Local Units of Government

This alternative would be a hybrid of Alternatives 1 and 3, and includes 12
Special Landscape Areas (SLA). These SLAs string along the western edge of
the landform where the loess is deepest and the topographic relief is
greatest (see map), and are scattered throughout seven counties in the
Loess Hills. The present land ownership would remain. Any federal
acquisition would be from a willing seller.

The 12 landscape areas are clusters of exemplary geologic/topographic
features that best characterize the loess hills landform. The sites include
expansive, interconnected ridge tops, high bluffs, deep valley cuts, and
steep-sloped ravines. These landscapes also contain significant amounts of
remnant prairie communities, rare plants and animals, and important
archaeological sites. Under this alternative, the 12 landscapes would be
designated as a National Reserve. Some locations within the 12 landscapes
have some form of existing protection, being owned by either state or
county governments or by The Nature Conservancy; the remainder of the
acreage is in private ownership.

This "string of pearls" concept would be similar in structure to the Ice
Age National Scientific Reserve (Wisconsin).  Protection of the 12 SLAs
that make-up the Reserve could be accomplished through a dynamic
state/local/federal partnership. Management could be led by a special
entity, identified as part of the Reserve's authorizing legislation. This
"management entity" could be authorized as a special unit of state
government, or it could be a unique organization defined by parameters
specified by Congress. Federal involvement would be specified as part of
the authorizing legislation, and could likely include some combination of
National Park Service technical assistance, funding assistance, planning
leadership, and/or resource assessment. The Loess Hills National Scenic
Byway would be the "thread" that ties the Reserve together. The balance of
the landform region would be protected primarily through the efforts of
local and state government as described under Alternative 1.


Alternative 5:
National Monument /Joint Powers Board Combination

Under this alternative the Loess Hills National Natural Landmark (including
both the Turin and Little Sioux/Smith Lake sites) would be designated as a
National Monument (a unit of the national park system). An additional
National Landmark study would be conducted on the archeological complex
centered near Glenwood, Iowa. If the study determined the archeological
resources of the complex deserved National Historic Landmark (NHL) status
the complex would be added to the Monument upon NHL designation.
Acquisition of private property within Monument boundaries would be
strictly on a willing-seller basis. Federal acquisition of property already
in the public domain would be by donation only. This alternative would
include a visitor center, which would serve as a central point of contact
and orientation to the Hills. The possibility of creating a multi-agency
center (to include the presence of the National Park Service, Western Iowa
Tourism, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and other!
s) could be explored. A joint powers board as described in Alternative 2
would protect land within the landform region located outside the Monument
boundaries by coordinating land use decisions with member counties. Federal
agencies such as the National Park Service (through its Rivers Trails and
Conservation Assistance Program) and Natural Resources Conservation Service
would provide technical assistance on various conservation and education
topics in the area served by the joint powers board.

Alternative 6:
National Monument/National Reserve Combination

This alternative would be a hybrid of Alternatives 3 and 5. Congress would
designate a National Monument consisting of the lands described in
Alternative 5. The balance of the landform (outside of National Monument
boundaries) would be managed as a National Reserve as described in
Alternative 3.


***
What's Next?

November 13-16, 2000:  Public Workshops to Explore Management Options

January, 2001:  Draft Special Resource Study
(Public Review of Draft.)

March, 2001:  Finalize Special Resource Study, transmit to Congress

***
How to Contact Us
Please feel free to contact the National Park Service for further
information, copies of previous newsletters, or for any other reason
concerning the Loess Hills Special Resource Study.  You may contact the new
Study Team Coordinator at the following address:
Sue Jennings
National Park Service
Loess Hills Study Team Coordinator
1709 Jackson Street
Omaha, NE  68102

Phone: (402) 221-3493
FAX: (402) 221-3465
Email: [log in to unmask]

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