first on decorahnews.com: Winneshiek County is creating a "new wetland"

Crews are at work along Valleyview Drive in Decorah to create a new wetland on property owned by Luther College.

Winneshiek County Engineer Lee Bjerke says the county is paying for the work.  That's because two road projects—one near Madison Church and the other on the north end of Spillville—disturbed some wetland.  Under the terms of an agreement with the Iowa DNR, Winneshiek County then agreed to "mitigate" the damage done by the two road projects by create a new wetland along Valleyview Drive.

Bjerke says Luther College has agreed to let Winneshiek County create the wetland, although Luther will continue to own the property.  Crews have been working this week to remove some dirt on the two acre site.  A clay liner will then be created on the property—so the land can retain the moisture needed to create the new wetland.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers must inspect the property and certify that it is working properly.  The new wetland must be maintained for at least five years under the terms of the agreement.

Bjerke says there will be wetland plants installed and an expert in wetlands will supervise the project.

Winneshiek County dumptrucks and Bruening Rock Products equipment are working on the wetland project