Kevin Pape, ranger at Stone State Park, and I spoke with editor Larry Myhre who prepared the following editorial. It appeared in the Sioux City Journal Easter Sunday.
Jim
Treasured Loess Hills endangered
Western Iowa is home to a unique natural treasure. It's the Loess Hills, a narrow band of wind-blown soil or loess which stretches just over 200 miles from above Sioux City to near St. Joseph, Mo. The hills, up to 200 feet high, form a biological crossroads dividing the eastern deciduous forest and the western mixed-grass prairie.
The region was recognized as a national treasure two years ago when the Loess Hills Scenic Byway received national designation making it one of only 72 such byways in the country. The beauty of the hills is not disputed. The ecology is unique. The eastern edge of the rugged slopes is largely woodland while the western side is short-grass prairie highlighted by plant species normally found only hundreds of miles to the west.
The hills represent the single most significant geological feature of Siouxland. Yet, the uniqueness of this region is quickly eroding. The native prairie is rapidly disappearing under the wiry branches of eastern red cedar trees and lack of prairie fires which regenerate native plant species. Lack of proper zoning and development plans have resulted in fill dirt removal, indiscriminate development and other human impact.
The Iowa Legislature and governor recognized the problem when the Loess Hills Alliance was formed in late 1998. The alliance represents Plymouth, Woodbury, Monona, Harrison, Pottawattamie, Mills and Fremont counties. The Legislature appropriated a half million dollar budget annually to help get wise land use under way. Now, in a political climate of budget cuts and belt tightening, funds for this important group are endangered, not unlike the future of this unique area without help. Ironically, loss of $500,000 in state funding will result in the loss of federal funding, estimated at more than $1 million, through cost-share and other programs for landowners. It is particularly ironic that the state would create an organization and then pull the rug out from under it by refusing to fund it.
The alliance has a good track record of working with landowners, educating them on wise land use and how to obtain federal cost-share dollars to preserve and improve their lands. For example there are 90 percent federal cost share monies available for tree shearing and sowing of native grasses.
By far, the majority of loess hills land, 96 percent, is in private hands. It's vital for the future of the hills that farmers, most of whom enthusiastically support conservation practices and wise land use, get the assistance they need. Money is also needed for prescribed burns and other management methods to protect the small public areas.
The biggest visible threat to the hills, in our opinion, is cedar trees. They grow like weeds and form large, dense, compact groups. Nothing grows under their branches. They are, indeed, a noxious weed which is destroying the remaining prairie lands. Take a drive through the hills and view the cedar invasion. Each one of these alien and invasive plants is strangling the prairie a few feet at a time.
The Legislature should provide the necessary funding to enable the alliance to do its important work. It is a prudent use of taxpayer dollars and as stewards of the land, we all have a responsibility to preserve and protect for those who follow us.
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