(Arnolds Park)– An Urban Conservationist with the Natural Resource Conservation Service says it’s high time governmental entities in Dickinson county re-think development philosophies.
Wayne Petersen spoke Wednesday at a meeting of the Iowa Great Lakes Cleanwater Alliance. He’s calling on cities and the county to adopt a practice known as “low impact development”. It requires developers to retain and manage run-off on each new lot that’s developed.
Petersen says this is a perfect time for Dickinson county governmental entities to consider adopting the philosophy as they update long term comprehensive use plans.
Petersen says the N-R-C-S is applying for 43-thousand dollars in funding through the Environmental Protection Agency that would help educate decision makers, builders and developers. He says they should know this fall as to whether or not they’ve been awarded the grant. Local matching funds are being applied for through the Iowa Great Lakes Water Quality Commission.
