Are you worried about storm drains, or water from gutters? SCS advises
farmers to use small earthern berms perpendicular to the downhill flow to
control runoff from fields. Perhaps proper contouring of yards by the
developer could solve some of the problems. I am sure the local SCS experts
can provide the expertise needed.

Are they planting aquatic plants in the storm water retention area?
Developers do not like to do it, but in some states they are now required
to do so. The plants help reduce some of the lawn nutrients. Would also
suggest a ban on Chem Lawn applications within the development, and allow
dry fertilizer applications only in the fall. Our neighbor in MI had to
stop his Chen Lawn treatments so he could refinance his house at a lower
mortgage rate. His well water tested 11ppm for nitrates (limit is 10).
After 6 months of no Chemlawn, he passed the nitrate test, but mortgage
rates had already gone up again! Anyway, if this development is bordering a
source of important drinking water, it is something to consider.
                                        Linda Bystrak

At 08:23 PM 12/9/99 -0600, you wrote:
>For the past few months the area called Hallett's Quarry just north of the
>Ames city limits has been the focus of development planning by Hubbel
>Construction.  Brian O'Connell, Director of the Department of Planning and
>Housing in Ames has listened to environmentalists and negotiated some
>concessions from the firm in the past few months, notably a 3-4 acre
>wetland to process some of the runoff.  It's a five year storm water
>retention area, and will not be able to handle the run-off from the kinds
>of rain events we have seen this past decade.
>
>This is an area characterized by hydric soils (that means it is a
>wetland).  It protects our area in drought and flood.  The quarry has no
>outlet, so everything that goes in stays in, and because this is ground
>water, it is additionally critical that the water remain clean.  In times
>of drought, the city pumps water from the lake over to the South Skunk so
>that it will refresh our aquifer which lies just below a dam just downstream.
>
>The plans for the area are actually quite attractive.  They include a bike
>path, a lighthouse (a private club for the residents, but attractive to
>passers by), and many walkways.  The lake would be open for paddle craft
>and electric motors so fishing would be an option.  If it were not for the
>destruction of this wetland and the possible disturbance of migrating
>birds, this would be an ideal development for any area.
>
>A minimal riparian area has been planned around the waterbody of 70 feet
>which will include  the bike path.  The last time I inquired the riparian
>area was to go around only 3/4 of this groundwater lake, leaving the rest
>without any buffer whatsoever.
>
>Next Wednesday the commissioners will decide whether to send this on to the
>city council for their approval.  Comments to go in the packet to be
>considered by the commissioners should be in the Planning and Housing
>office by noon tomorrow.  The public will be given an opportunity to
>comment at the next meeting, which will be held at 7pm Wednesday, December
>15th.
>
>Peggy Murdock
>
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