Ask The Answer Person: Why is a field next to the Decorah Airport eroding?

(Paul e-mails: "I took this photo of the property at the Decorah Airport that the Beacon website shows to be owned by the City of Decorah (Airport).  The ground has been bare all year except for a few weeds.  It was tilled this summer but nothing was ever planted there.  No living plants to control erosion or promote soil health.  Nothing to protect the soil at all.  For a City whose council members like to legislate sustainability and environmental protection this seems awfully hypocritical.  What's going on?  Who's to blame for leaving the soil unprotected all year?"):

The Answer Person says: "Every fact you presented in your e-mail is correct.  However, there's more to the story.

The property is indeed owned by the City of Decorah and is part of the airport.  However, the property around the airport is owned by the City of Decorah so it will be able to expand the airport in the future.  This property in particular has been discussed as the location for a new airport hangar.

City officials expected the details of the new airport hangar to be resolved earlier this year--which is why the ground was bare.  Unfortunately, it took until this week to finalize all the details.  Monday night the Decorah City Council approved a 50-year lease for the property by Rowley Aviation (http://www.decorahnews.com/news-stories/2019/10/23626.html).  The property will be the site of a 100 foot wide hangar next year--so no more issues with erosion.