HelveticaTo Sierrans: HelveticaBelow are the minutes from the LOESS HILLS PUBLIC FORUMHelvetica of 9/25/98. I do not add any commentary. Lyle Krewson ************************************ LOESS HILLS PUBLIC FORUM September 25, 1998 Background. The Legislative Council endorsed a one-day Loess Hills area conference to study, analyze, and develop proposals for the identification and protection of loess soil areas and authorized appointment of two members of the Senate and two members of the House of Representatives to provide leadership for the conference. Members in attendance included Senators Steve Hansen, Nancy Boettger, and Michael Gronstal, Steve King, and Representatives Donna Barry and Brent Siegrist. Land Management Issues. Dr. Elisabeth M. Hamin, Assistant Professor in Community and Regional Planning for Iowa State University, described the benefits and drawbacks of federal assistance and participation if the Loess Hills area would become a national park, preserve, or reserve. National parks are balanced between use and preservation, and they bring federal dollars and tourism, and assist in maintaining the local culture. However, park management is dependent upon how the legislation creating the park is drafted and implemented. The National Park Service buys land only from willing sellers and pays market value. National preserves and reserves do not attract as many tourists, because tourists are unsure about whether the systems are open to the public. Loess Hills Background & Update/Corridor Management Plan. The Western Iowa Tourism Region (WITR) receives county, corporate, and state funding. With the majority of funding deriving from the state Department of Economic Development (DED), the organization works closely with the DED's Division of Tourism. In turn, WITR works closely with Golden Hills Resource Conservation & Development in providing maps and visitor signs for the Loess Hills area. The two organizations have also developed and published a "Loess Hills Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan" and guidebook. Also working to promote the Loess Hills area is the Loess Hills Hospitality Association, which trains volunteer tour guides and works to attract large groups of tourists. Opportunities and Threats to Current Use. A panel representative of the multitudinous interests in the Loess Hills area convened to explain their positions toward development, usage, and conservation of the area. Concerns identified by panelists included soil compaction from walking and multi-use trails; erosion of the hills by poor agricultural practices, development of housing tracts, and recreational usage such as horseback riding, mountain and dirt biking, and four-wheeling; the invasion of nonindigenous vegetation; the need for woodland and resource management and for conservation of a unique ecosystem; and the need for "green" or "open" spaces. DNR Loess Hills Strategy. Mr. Larry Wilson, Director of the Department of Natural Resources, described the department's strategy for protection and management of the Loess Hills as a four-step process: research and education, acquisition and management, wildlife management and protection of rare species, and technical and financial assistance. The state owns the Turin Loess Hills preserve, which is managed by the DNR's Wildlife Bureau, in Monona County. The DNR pays property tax on all of the land it acquires on behalf of the state. Landowner Options. Mr. Mark Ackelson, President of the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, described voluntary ways of protecting the land in the Loess Hills area. The foundation publishes a guide that includes the following options for landowners: conservation easements, preserve dedication, annuity trusts (and other methods that include tax advantages), and donating land in lieu of paying inheritance tax. He noted the foundation will be backing legislation for further tax advantages for landowners interested in selling, donating, or otherwise protecting their Loess Hills land for conservation, preservation, or protection reasons. Group Discussion Reports. Those attending the forum divided into groups to discuss Loess Hill area concerns. The four general areas studied included urban development and housing, conservation, agriculture and forestry, and recreation. The solutions to problems identified by the groups were summarized as follows: complete inventories of the area; develop plans for land use, regional plans, and plans for a sustainable system; review comprehensive plans from other areas, enforce existing regulations, advertise, and increase public education; define areas to protect; preserve natural resources of area, develop natural areas management; provide staff and budget to accomplish goals; and create an alliance with authority to identify and prioritize goals for Loess Hills. Geneva____________________________________________ Lyle Krewson 6403 Aurora Avenue #3 Des Moines, IA 50322-2862 [log in to unmask] 515/276-8947 515/276-6844 - FAX ____________________________________________