Heritage Addition
is closer to reality

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This article was written and posted on INHF's website in March 2000.

After almost 50 years of attempts, the proposed Heritage Addition to Effigy Mounds National Monument (EMNM) has moved several steps closer to reality this month. Major contributions have been raised, and the political approval process is moving forward.

The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF) made the first $300,000 payment to landowners Charles and Dorothy Kistler on March 2. The final payment is due December 15, 2000. INHF is a member-supported, nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting Iowa's land, water and wildlife.

The proposed addition contains 1,045 acres of wooded bluffs in Allamakee County. By linking a unit of the Yellow River State Forest and EMNM, the addition puts more than 4,000 contiguous acres and 7.8 miles of the Yellow River under public protection.

"Such large tracts of wild land, critical for habitat protection, are rare in Iowa," said Mark Ackelson, INHF President. "Private and public groups have dreamed of protecting the area for decades, but political will and adequate funding could never be mustered at the same time. Finally, all the pieces are beginning to fall in place."

The total project will cost $1,545,000 for land acquisition and initial management costs. INHF plans to raise almost half the funding from federal sources, 30% from state grants that have already been approved, and another 20% from private sources.

Almost$57,000 has been raised in the past few weeks toward the $265,000 needed from private donors. Alliant Energy Foundation donated $7,500, the Cedar Rapids Audubon Society donated $1,400, and the Central Iowa Prairie Network raised $800. Another $47,221 has been donated or pledged from individuals and families.

Two new challenge grants will encourage more donations. The Young Family Foundation, based in Waterloo, has agreed to match the next private donations received for the project dollar-for-dollar, up to a total of $60,000. Greg and Betty Beisker of Ames will match funds contributed by clubs and organizations, up to $10,000. Deadline for private donations is December 15.

On the political front, Iowa's Senators Charles Grassley and Tom Harkin and Congressman Jim Nussle are requesting $750,000 in federal support for the project and expansion of the EMNM boundaries to accommodate the new land. Congressman Nussle submitted a letter to Chairman Don Young (R, Alaska) of the Resources committee to request an expedited hearing on federal support so that funds will be pledged in time for the closing date.

According to Nussle, "This expansion will serve as a link between Effigy Mounds and the Yellow River State Forest, and will help to protect the ecosystems and historical significance of both areas. I believe that it would be a valuable asset to northeast Iowa."

At the state level, the project was awarded the first-ever allocation from the state's Blufflands Revolving Loan Fund (through the Iowa Department of Natural Resources) in the amount of $125,000. The revolving loan fund was created last year by the Iowa legislature to help conservation projects such as this one, where sellers need payment before funds can be raised.
Earlier INHF secured two state grants for the project: $200,000 from the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs and $330,000 from the Iowa Department of Transportation.

Once private funds are raised and Congress approves park boundary changes and funding, the tract will be transferred to the National Park Service (NPS) for management as part of EMNM. It will then be open for public recreational activities such as hiking, birding, canoeing and fishing. However, the area remains closed to public use until the transfer is made.

Surprisingly, transferring this land to public ownership will increase the property tax base in Allamakee County. In recent years the private land has been registered under the Forest Reserve Program and tax-exempt. Once under federal ownership, NPS will make payments to Allamakee County in lieu of property taxes.

People who want to learn more about this project, to make tax-deductible contributions or to help seek federal support should contact INHF at 1-800-475-1846 or www.inhf.org. Contributors of $5,000 or more will receive permanent recognition within the EMNM Visitor Center. Contributors of $1,000 or more will receive an individual recognition item.

For more information about Foundation news, e-mail Cathy Engstrom, Director of Communications or call (515) 288-1846.

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