Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation: Johnson County protects riparian land

JCCB Acquires Key Property

This article was written by Harry Graves, Johnson County Conservation Board Director,
and released in The Conservation Connection fall 2009 newsletter issue.

From the Conservation Connection

"The land is the appointed remedy for whatever is false and fantastic in our culture...food for our mind as well as our body." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

The Johnson County Conservation Board (JCCB) is very pleased to have recently completed the first land purchase utilizing partial funding from the $20 million Conservation Bond approved in 2008. The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation provided invaluable assistance to the JCCB with the initial purchase.

The purchase price of $420,280.68 was paid with $131,000.00 from the Conservation Trust Account and the balance of $289,280.68 was paid from a loan from the capitol projects fund pending the sale of the first Conservation Bonds.

The acquisition is an 87-acre riparian tract along Clear Creek, just west of Tiffin, adjoining Half Moon Avenue. It will enable the JCCB to help protect and enhance the watershed of Clear Creek by conserving the contiguous natural vegetation and wetlands. Hence, the water quality of the Iowa River, into which Clear Creek flows, will also be enhanced. The Iowa DNR lists both of these waterways as impaired.

Protecting and improving this green space is also vital for buffering to control stream bank erosion.

Good management practices and improvement of forest resources, on this riparian tract, will help JCCB staff protect and enhance wildlife habitat and wildlife corridors, which in turn, will help to maintain biodiversity and enhance air quality. This property will provide opportunities for hunting, in season, and for non-consumptive year-round activities of birding, photography and nature appreciation.

Hiking, walking and biking trails for this tranquil sylvan environment are being planned. Ultimately, they will connect with trails that are planned to extend from Coralville to Tiffin.

Previously an easement for a trail and variable width stream buffer has been acquired on the adjoining Ryan property. It extends from Ireland Avenue to the east boundary line of the new 87 acres. The eventual goal is the connection of a trail link to F.W. Kent Park.

Even though this property lies within one mile of heavily traveled I-80 (where nine million vehicles pass every year) and US Highway 6, the vegetation and natural attributes help to quiet much of the noise from these busy thoroughfares. A walk out into this area gives the visitor the feeling of serenity and calm and provides a definite connection to nature. The JCCB is committed to protecting significant natural lands and waters in Johnson County for human benefit and enjoyment in order to provide a healthy environment for present and future generations.

The $20 million Conservation Bond is intended to provide funding for the achievement of the following objectives:

to protect drinking water sources;
to protect the watersheds of the Iowa and Cedar Rivers and our lakes and streams to ensure their water quality;
to protect forests to ensure air quality;
to protect and enhance wildlife habitat and wildlife corridors;
to protect existing green spaces;
to conserve land adjacent to areas where buffering is beneficial;
to develop hubs and linkages for hiking; and
to develop walking and biking trails.

This newly acquired 87-acre area is only the beginning of the realization of these conservation objectives. Watch the progress with future land protection acquisitions in Johnson County!

INHF is a nonprofit conservation group that works with private landowners and other partners to protect Iowa’s land, water and wildlife. Since its founding in 1979, INHF has helped protect more than 100,000 acres of Iowa’s natural resources.

For more information, e-mail Cathy Engstrom at INHF or call 515- 288-1846.