What condition would Iowa’s environment be without the Iowa Department of Natural Resources? Every state could ponder the same question as all 50 have a DNR that works to carry out state and federal laws that protect air, land and water.
Specific to this column is the IDNR’s work to enhance Five Island Lake. Rivers, lakes, streams and watersheds are all within the realm of the studies, planning and strategies that the IDNR uses to assist communities that want a nearby body of water to be clean and safe for the public’s use. And this falls on the IDNR for all public bodies of water.
The IDNR did a comprehensive study of Emmetsburg’s lake that resulted in a 1994 Diagnostic Feasibility Study of Five Island Lake that included goals for dredging and shoreline stabilization. According to the Study, “In 1989, following years of diminished recreational opportunities and poor water quality conditions due to low lake levels, a group of concerned citizens formed the Five Island Lake Board. They established two major goals for the project: Increase the lake water depth and improve the lake water quality.”
The results were listed in the Study as follows: “Since the early 90’s, the Lake Board has stabilized almost 10.5 miles of lake shoreline, dredged over 6 million cubic yards of silt, and has worked in the watershed to reduce nutrients and sediment from entering the lake.”
In fiscal year 2012, Five Island Lake received $200,000 for the dredging project and in FY2013 received another $200,000 for dredging and watershed improvement.
The IDNR did not stop there. In 2008, the IDNR Director Leopold, State Senator Kibbe, local stakeholders and the IDNR Lake Restoration Program reviewed progress and the need for continued watershed work to compliment local dredging efforts. It was this meeting that initiated the idea of submitting a Watershed Planning Grant. While it took time to hire a coordinator, continue to monitor and observe the lake’s water quality, a Watershed Planning Grant is now being reviewed by the Environmental Protection Agency.
All of these efforts to improve Five Island Lake were done in partnership with the IDNR. This is just one example of how the organization is hands-on and available to advise and assist communities interested in keeping their lake healthy.
Given all of the above, it is not understandable to learn that from time-to-time shoreline owners decide to do something that does not comply with the IDNR’s rules and regulations. It is so easy to make a phone call or search the website to determine if what is being done is advisable. So before loads of dirt are dumped near or in the lake, or aquatic plants are uprooted along the shore or a shore lawn is expanded check with the IDNR. The website to find a specific IDNR person to consult with in Palo Alto County is:
Previous question’s answer: Three types of artifacts found in Five Island Lake include petrified animal bones, chert for tool making and bone awls.
Question: What was Emmetsburg’s vote outcome in 1990 for the $400,000 bond issue to fund Five Island Lake improvements.?
Submitted by Diane Weiland
Komentar