Still time to help preserve Iowa topsoil, reduce flooding

Comments to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources are still needed in support of a 2012 rule that requires developers and home builders to leave four inches of topsoil on the ground after construction. Bleeding Heartland discussed this issue last week, and Todd Dorman wrote a more detailed background piece for the Cedar Rapids Gazette earlier this month. I’ve posted excerpts from that article below.

Iowa has lost too much of its world-class topsoil already. Not only does this non-renewable resource help plants grow, it reduces stormwater runoff that can cause flooding and water pollution. As Dorman points out, homeowners would also benefit from having more topsoil on their lots, so they could grow grass or other plants without having to inundate hard clay subsoil with chemicals. Representatives of business groups that oppose the DNR rule have estimated its cost at between $1,200 per residential to $2,500 or even $5,000. I haven’t seen any estimate of the hidden costs of more flooding and excess nutrients in waterways. Although farms contribute more to Iowa topsoil runoff than new residential construction does, we all have to do our part.

A public hearing on the soil conservation rule is happening this Thursday, May 29, in Des Moines; click through for details on how to participate in person or by phone. Public comments can be sent via e-mail to Adam.Schnieders AT dnr.iowa.gov, ideally before Thursday’s meeting.  

From Todd Dorman’s May 4 article, “Looking for the straight scoop — Will Iowa’s topsoil rule get bulldozed?”

[The stakeholder group discussing the topsoil rule] It has seven members, including Creighton Cox, who leads the Homebuilders Association of Greater Des Moines, Hubbell Realty’s Joe Pietruszynski, Chip Classon of Jerry’s Homes and Mark Watkins, vice president of McAnich Corp., a Des Moines earthmoving contractor. Also in the group is Lucy Hershberger of Forever Green Nursery in Coralville, Pat Sauer of the Iowa Stormwater Education Program and Chad Ingels, a member of the state Environmental Protection Commission appointed to that panel by Branstad.

“My opinion is it appears as though the deck is stacked,” said Sauer, who supports the 4-inch rule. Although she’s quick to add that a good compromise is still possible as the group embarks on six to eight weeks of discussions.

I asked Cox, who chairs the group, about that stacked deck.

“None of us picked who was going to be on there,” Cox said. “We all did what the DNR requested and made comments as concerned stakeholders. I believe that would be a question for the governor’s office who appointed the committee.”

Twenty-five people applied to be a part of the group, according to the DNR, including 11 representing cities, which play a big role in enforcing runoff rules. None was appointed. Also not selected were two applicants from the Iowa Department of Transportation, which does a fair amount of earthmoving.

Note: in addition to Sauer, stakeholder group member Lucy Hershberger supports the DNR rule.  

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