From Gerry Shimek of DOT staff, forwarded by Jane Clark at [log in to unmask] The Iowa Department of Transportation held an informal meeting open to the public on March 8 to discuss their recommended alignment for U.S. 65 in Polk and Jasper Counties. The project segment begins at Polk County Road S-27 and extends northerly for about 5.9 miles to north of Jasper County Road F-17 (i.e., Baxter Road). This segment includes the vicinity of Engeldinger Marsh. The Iowa DOT is recommending to the Iowa Transportation Commission that the future 4-lane U.S. 65 facility bypass the Engeldinger Marsh property to the west and north (i.e., Far Northwest Alignment). That recommendation will be formally presented to the Commission during the April 11 Commission Meeting in Fairfield, Iowa. The Far West Alignment is being recommended because it would have less direct impacts to residences, less impacts to prime agricultural land, and it will impact natural resources of lower quality than other alignments studied. The Far West Alignment will impact more total acres of natural resources, and will cost about 3 - 4 million dollars more, than upgrading the existing alignment. It will avoid the "McCoy Meadows," eliminate about 2/3 of "VanOel Prairie (we'll salvage what we can), cross the PCCB's recently acquired Shaw Property, "nick" the Engeldinger watershed, and avoid "Kimberley's Fen" and "Kimberley's Wetland." We anticipate having the final NEPA document (I don't recall if it is a supplemental EIS, or what) completed for public review about the first part of April. If you wish more information, please contact Scott Dockstader or Mike Clayton at 1-800-926-4368. Editorial Comment from Gerry Shimek -- I have spent a lot of time listening to folks on all sides of the controversy relating to this project. Most of them have been quite thoughtful in their analysis of the issues; many have done their own research on wetlands, plant communities, and T&E species. Several recognize that the Marsh property has been badly abused in years past. Many realize that the Mulberry Wing is on the edge of it's range here in Iowa and is abundant elsewhere in the Country. If we (the "environmental community") hope to have "others" share our view that places like Engeldinger and species like the Mulberry Wing are special, we have a lot of work to do. It will take some serious "environmental education" efforts, relationship building, and tolerance for other points of view. I hope we will be successful because I believe that if our only strategy is "confrontational eco-politics" we may "win some battles" but ultimately "lose the war." Gerry From Loren Lown of Polk County in response: Gerry is correct in that confrontation is often nonproductive for both parties involved. The nose to nose, "so's your Mama," style of debate can make enemies of supporters. There have been, however, times when such action seems to be the only option remaining. The danger is that we tend to harden opinions and become more judgemental with each confortation. I have been and continued to be pleased with the DOT's wetlands divisions dedication toward accurately analyzing and creatively designing less damaging alternatives around the Engeldinger complex. This was an extremely divisive project with high emotions on all sides. The environmental staff worked hard to gather and present the information necessary to select the least damaging alternative. It is my opinion that this has not always been the approach taken by highway construction design in Iowa. I am extremely pleased that there is a new professionalism and environmental awareness at the DOT that is obvious in recent years. Sometimes as you mend fences you find someone with very similar views mending the fence from the other side. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To get off the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask]