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