Page 78 - ISVB
P. 78
76
Land Use: Preservation, Conservation, 3. Continue to promote and educate about
and Recreation, this plan recommends efforts to restore native ecosystems on
the following measures to conserve and private and public lands (i.e., Master
enhance the IVSB’s Natural Intrinsic Naturalist programs via the county
qualities: conservation boards).
1. Public meetings with appropriate 4. Create additional venues for the
agencies to discuss the state of the Iowa dissemination of knowledge about the
River and assess current legislative and Byway’s natural resources.
agency policies regarding river quality,
flooding, and other pertinent issues. reCreaTIoNaL QUaLITy
Among the topics to be discussed:
NaTUraL INTrINSIC QUaLITy ○ Consider how flooding impacts the river In a day when eco- agri- and heritage- have
become descriptors for forms of tourism, the
Agencies and organizations have undertaken and how agencies plan to mitigate the myriad of existing and evolving historical,
recent and concerted efforts to maintain or effects of future floods to the Corridor cultural, and outdoor recreational features
restore unplowed prairie remnants, forests, area� along the Byway as previously listed
wetlands, wildlife habitats including Bird ○ Consider how the lack of zoning and (Available on CD), represent one of the most
Conservation Areas, and the Iowa River the growth of agribusinesses have/may important economic assets for the future
corridor itself. In response to the extensive affect water quality. sustainability of this rural area. Key partners
floods of 1993, the Iowa Valley Corridor ○ Creation of a local group of supporters in the maintenance and enhancement of the
Project was created and thousands of acres (possibly through organizations such Byways’ recreational quality features include
of farmland conservation easements were as the Iowa Rivers Revival and Iowa’s existing local tourism offices; chambers of
acquired creating 68,752 acres of continuous Water Land Legacy) who take part in commerce; private organizations dedicated
wildlife habitat. The diminishing quality of the the dialogue with policy leaders about to hunting causes; private organizations
river and its effect on quality of life remains, the importance of water quality and with other special recreational interests,
however, the chief concern expressed by river conservation� and area outfitters; most of these listed in
survey respondents. This concern was echoed Point 4 as part of a committee on Land Use:
in a recent study by Iowa State University on ○ Voluntary incentives to improve water Preservation, Conservation, and Recreation.
Iowa Rivers where water quality and habitat quality, prevent erosion, and restore
were the second most important factors wetlands to help prevent flooding. RECOMMENDATIONS
affecting a river visit (the first was proximity to 2. Working with agencies such as the In partnership with these organizations, this
home) (Yongjie et. al., 2010). Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation or plan recommends the following measures
the Blufflands Alliance and county
RECOMMENDATIONS conservation boards, educate residents to conserve and enhance the IVSB’s
about conservation easements and other Recreational qualities:
In collaboration with the agencies and partners protective measures to maintain and
listed in Point 4 as part of a committee on
enhance native ecosystems.
