(Des Moines)– Efforts to protect the northeast shore of Big Spirit Lake from development could be in jeopardy.
Funding to protect Angler’s Bay was not included in Governor Culver’s budget presented to a joint session of the legislature in January.
A bipartisan agreement was made last year for the legislature to provde three million dollars over two years: one and-a-half million was committed last session, with another one and-a-half to be committed this session.
The Angler’s Bay area consists of 3,500 feet of natural shoreline which includes bulrushes…an aquatic plant that enhances water quality and provides a fish habitat.
The Angler’s Bay preservation project will cost 6.7 million dollars. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources last year committed two million dollars to the effort.
The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, which is also involved, has raised 85 percent of its commitment of 1.7 million dollars toward the project.
Area residents are being encouraged to contact lawmakers about the matter.
