Iowa--Loess Hills

["guest@endurance.net" <guest@endurance.net>]

Linda B. Merims lbm@ici.net

I don't know if any rides or riders use this area, but if they
do--be aware.  This bulletin came through on the National
Park Conservation Assocation's "action alert" system.
(See http://www.npca.org/).  This could be a good thing;
but it could also be a very bad thing.  "Managed according
to national park service standards" is what caused so
much trouble with the Outlaw Trail ride in Grand Staircase/
Escalante.  These "standards" do not allow organized events
that charge money--even nonprofits.  In any event, you'll
need to become involved.


>IOWA FOLKS! SHOULD WE INCLUDE LOESS HILLS IN THE PARK SYSTEM 
>- The National Park Service (NPS) is conducting a special 
>resource study on the Loess Hills to determine whether the 
>area should be included in the National Park System, and how 
>it might be managed. The NPS is coordinating with the Iowa 
>Department of Natural Resources to produce the study, and 
>will soon release a newsletter with preliminary management 
>alternatives for the Loess Hills. In conjunction with the 
>newsletter, the NPS will be hosting a series of public 
>meetings throughout Iowa to gain input on the evolving 
>study.  Although the final alternative will undoubtedly 
>involve administration through a federal/state/local 
>partnership of some sort, NPCA wants to make sure the total 
>Loess Hills area under study is protected from development 
>and that the most significant resources and features of the 
>Hills are managed according to national park standards.  
>TAKE ACTION! Show up and voice your concerns in order to 
>help shape the alternatives and promote the Loess Hills 
>National Reserve and Heritage Area.  Dates have not been 
>confirmed yet, so for information on the public meetings, 
>and how you can help, contact NPCA Heartland Regional 
>Director Lori Nelson at lnelson@npca.org or at 651/735-8008. 
>NPCA talking points are located in the sample letters 
>section below. 
>
>LOESS HILLS - NPCA TALKING POINTS: Please contact NPCA 
>Heartland Regional Director Lori Nelson at lnelson@npca.org 
>or 651735-8008 for more information on the public meetings, 
>and about this issue.
>
>NPCA Talking points:
>
>National Resource -- Loess Hills area is a national resource 
>that ought to be preserved.
>
>Partnership -- NPS should work in partnership with state and 
>local governments and business people, landowners, and 
>conservationists to accomplish this.
>
>National Reserve and Heritage Corridor -- We support the 
>concept of a Loess Hills national reserve or preserve 
>combined with a heritage corridor.
>Identify Significant and Threatened Resources -- The most 
>significant and threatened natural, cultural, historical, 
>and archeological resources should be identified, working 
>with state and local government, entities and citizens.
>
>Acquisition on Willing Seller Basis Only -- Key core 
>properties should be purchased by NPS from willing sellers 
>only or acquired by voluntary donation.  Conservation 
>easements should also be acquired from willing sellers only, 
>as appropriate.  
>
>Coordination with Other Conservation Programs -- An effort 
>should be made to coordinate preservation efforts with the 
>conservation programs administered by USDA and other 
>federal, state and local agencies.
>
>Cooperative Agreements -- The heritage area should be 
>managed through cooperative agreements with state and local 
>entities to interpret and preserve the resource.
>
>Public Involvement in Management -- A management structure 
>with appropriate federal, state and local involvement, 
>balanced representation, and members appointed for their 
>expertise should be put in place.  Members should be 
>appointed by the Secretary of the Interior in consultation 
>with the Governor.

Linda B. Merims
lbm@ici.net
Massachusetts, USA