Please note there is an underscore between first and last name.

> Email: [log in to unmask]

If you haven't sent your comments yet, try to do so this weekend.

Thanks,
Jane Clark

----------
> From: jrclark <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Loess Hills - Do you care about their future?
> Date: December 13, 2000 11:44 PM
>
> Please take a few minutes to send your comments on the future of the
Loess
> Hills.  If you would like more information, contact me at
> [log in to unmask]  Although the comment period ends December 15th, they
> will continue to accept comments.  There is an extensive article in The
> Sierran, however, delivery of the newsletter has been delayed.
>
> LOESS HILLS - DO YOU CARE ABOUT THEIR FUTURE?
>
> The Loess Hills Special Resource Study team of the National Parks Service
> (NPS) has completed a preliminary evaluation of the Loess Hills landform
> region in western Iowa. The evaluation will be included in a report that
> will be submitted to Congress early next year.  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.
>
> The Resource Study 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.
>
> 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.
>
> Comments on management options may be sent by December 15th
> or as soon as possible to:
>
> 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]
> (Email comments will be accepted)
>
>
> Key points to consider in commenting to the NPS are:
>
> National Resource -- Loess Hills area is a national resource that ought
to
> be preserved.
> Partnership -- NPS should work in partnership with state and local
> governments and business people, land owners, and conservationists to
> accomplish this.
> National Reserve and Heritage Corridor -- We support the concept of a
Loess
> Hills national reserve or preserve combined with a heritage corridor.
> Identify Significant and Threatened Resources -- The most significant and
> threatened natural, cultural, historical, and archeological resources
> should be identified, working with state and local government, entities
and
> citizens.
> Acquisition on Willing Seller Basis Only -- Key core properties should be
> purchased by NPS from willing sellers only or acquired by voluntary
> donation.  Conservation easements should also be acquired from willing
> sellers only, as appropriate.
> Coordination with Other Conservation Programs -- An effort should be made
> to coordinate preservation efforts with the conservation programs
> administered by USDA and other federal, state and local agencies.
> Cooperative Agreements -- The heritage area should be managed through
> cooperative agreements with state and local entities to interpret and
> preserve the resource.
> Public Involvement in Management -- A management structure with
appropriate
> federal, state and local involvement, balanced representation, and
members
> appointed for their expertise should be put in place.
>
>

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
To get off the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to:
[log in to unmask]