A rare prairie wetland, with many nice prairie species, was  recently 
destroyed near Dyersville.  The destruction was extensively  discussed on the 
Iowa native plant listserv, and it occurred specifically  because the prairie 
wetland, though it was most definitely a  wetland, was isolated and therefore 
not protected.  
 
We were reminded during the discussion that some states have state wetland  
laws that protect at least some isolated wetlands.  But it is clear  that 
many states (and we know that Iowa is often among them)  will ONLY do what 
the feds require when it comes to the environment.   (And sometimes, even 
then, states will act only reluctantly.   Iowa's decades-long disinclination to 
implement the Clean Water Act  was one embarrassing example.)  So if the 
feds don't protect  isolated wetlands, they won't be protected in much if not 
most of the  country.
 
If you want more information about the Dyersville destroyed wetland, it  
should be easy to find, or contact me off-list.
 
Cindy
 

Cindy Hildebrand
[log in to unmask]
Ames, IA  50010

"Bread feeds the body indeed, but flowers feed also the soul." (The  Koran)

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