IOWA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES July 26, 2007For immediate release 1. DNR invites Iowans to learn about Lake Darling restoration atAug. 8 meeting DNR INVITES IOWANS TO LEARN ABOUT LAKE DARLING RESTORATION AT AUGUST 8MEETING MEDIA CONTACT: Don Kline, Lake Darling Fisheries Biologist, at (319)694-2430 or Mike McGhee, DNR Lake Restoration, at (515) 281-6281. BRIGHTON — Major changes are taking place at Lake Darling to improvewater quality, and the DNR is inviting Iowans to learn more at an Aug. 8meeting. Dr. John Downing from Iowa State University will explain the lakeassessment process, speak about watershed improvement and lakerestoration efforts, and discuss the next steps for improving LakeDarling. The DNR will hold the meeting at Brighton City Hall, located at 100 E.Washington St. Appetizers will be served at 5 p.m. with presentationsbeginning at 5:30 p.m. Water quality in the lake has already seen a boost from the LakeDarling Watershed Project, which works with landowners to installconservation practices that keep pollutants from reaching the lake.Since 2001, the project has reduced the amount of sediment reaching thelake by about 3,500 tons per year. Put 3,500 tons of soil in dumptrucks, and you’d have a line of trucks more than a mile long. The project continues to improve the land and the lake by furtherreducing the amount of pollutants — such as sediment, bacteria andnutrients — that reach the lake. Building on these land-based efforts, lake restoration work in LakeDarling will continue to improve the lake’s water quality. “It’s critical that we have watershed projects in place first, andthe folks in the Lake Darling watershed are doing a great job,” saidMike McGhee, the DNR lakes and rivers project coordinator.“Restoration can be expensive, and we want to make sure that worklasts. The work in the watershed is preventative maintenance, continuingto keep the lake clean after restoration.” The DNR and local partners will consider a number of restorationoptions to improve water quality, including improving shoreline access,lake dredging, protecting the shoreline from erosion and eliminatingrough fish, like carp. For more information about the meeting, contact the Southeast DistrictFisheries office at Lake Darling at (319) 694-2430. -30-
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