(Des Moines)– The Natural Resources Commission of the Iowa DNR will consider a major wetland restoration project in the Iowa Great Lakes at their meeting later this month.
The group will consider awarding a bid on a project that involves a 78-acre waterfowl protection area in what is known as the “Okoboji View Wetland Complex”, near the Okoboji View Golf Course on the west side of West Lake Okoboji. Protection and restoration of the area actually started back in 2009 as a partnership between the DNR, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, Dickinson County Soil and Water Conservation District, Okoboji View Golf Course, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the federal Environmental Protection Agency and private landowners.
The project will consist in part of a 6,500 foot berm with a water control structure and emergency spillway. Another phase of the project includes breaking existing drainage tile along with erosion control.
The project has a total estimated cost of $85,000. The commission will consider awarding the low bid of a little more than $71,000 from a construction firm out of Odeboldt, Iowa at their meeting January 10th in Des Moines.
