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IWTA
Special
Issue
Iowa Water Trails Association
April, 2016
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We do our best to limit the number of IWTA emails contributing to your inbox overload, but every once in a while the news is just too good to not share immediately. We hope you join us in congratulating the community of Clinton on receiving the "River Town of the Year" award from Iowa Rivers Revival.
Your info and support makes the IWTA Newsletter relevant, so please keep it coming.
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Congratulations to Clinton!
Iowa Rivers Revival "River Town of the Year"
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IRR Board Chairman Jerry Peckumn Presents
"River Town of the Year" Award
to Clinton Mayor Mark Vulich.
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(News Release from IRR)
Iowa Rivers Revival, a non-profit group that advocates for rivers, has named Clinton "River Town of the Year" for 2016.
This year's award recognizes Clinton especially for tackling difficult water-quality challenges at the same time it promotes river recreation, boating and fishing, recreational trails, wildlife watching, river history sites, and other river-centered activities.
"Clinton celebrates its past as a river town, enjoys the present, and prepares for the future," said Jerry Peckumn, Chairman of Iowa Rivers Revival (IRR).
"We are especially impressed with Clinton's forward-looking efforts to protect the environment, improve waste water going into the Mississippi, and reduce storm water and pollutants discharging to the river," Peckumn said.
Iowa Rivers Revival pointed to several key river-related projects in and near Clinton:
* The Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility is a model for Iowa, IRR said. It uses new "biological nutrient removal" technology (BNR) to reclaim waste water and reduce nutrient pollution discharges to the Mississippi. It reduces harm to marine life in the river. It is a collaborative regional facility (with nearby Camanche and Low Moor)
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| | Informative Tour of the
Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility. |
that saves millions of dollars, spreads benefits, and puts the three communities in good position as new strategies and regulations emerge to reduce nutrient pollution.
* The Main Avenue Green Infrastructure Project is a recently-completed, $1.2 million project improving storm water retention, treatment and filtering. It will result in reduced discharges to the Mississippi of bacteria, and solid, metal and nutrient pollution. The Green Infrastructure Project includes permeable brick parking areas, rain gardens and barrels, bio-retention cells, a bio-swale, tree plantings, and soil-quality restoration. Half the funding for the Project was provided by the Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR).
* Cultural and Historic Preservation Efforts. Clinton's Sawmill Museum (a designated Great River Road Interpretive Center) tells the story of Clinton being the "Lumber Capital of the World" in the late 19th Century. The Clinton Area Showboat Theatre hosts a summer repertory theater in a restored old paddle wheeler on the river-front levee.
* Connecting with the Mighty Mississippi. The Discovery Recreational Trail and Mississippi River Trail now total 12 miles for bicycle riders, runners, walkers and watchers along the river. There are four boat ramps, a new handicap-accessible fishing pier, and Clinton Marina with slips and services for 150 boats.
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| | Peckumn and Mayor Vulich with
Elected Officials and Local Leaders. |
* Celebrating Nature. Clinton's Soaring Eagle Nature Center (a Silos & Smokestacks "Emerging Site") is a great resource for public activities and educational activities with area schools. There is an Annual Bald Eagle Watch each January. Eagle Point Park is 200-acre city park with high bluffs and a 1937 stone tower with wonderful views of the Mississippi.
* Welcoming Visitors. Events and amenities attract visitors and residents. Clinton hosts fishing tournaments, and the Class-A baseball "LumberKings." In 2015, Clinton became a tour stop for the "American Queen" Steamboat, welcoming visitors to local shops, family farms and historic sites. The River Edge Zone offers fine dining -- and fine Mississippi River views.
* Encouraging Volunteers and Community Involvement. Clinton hosts river-front cleanups in Spring and Fall, with volunteers from the community, Fire Department, City of Clinton, Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Clinton Marina. Most of the events and activities mentioned above rely heavily upon volunteers.
Peckumn said one quality seems to be at work in every community that has been named River Town of the Year. "Cooperation and collaboration are crucial," said Peckumn, the IRR Chair.
"All these efforts in Clinton are characterized by a rich mix of public and private cooperation, and partnerships between city, county, state and U.S. governments, other public agencies, businesses, organizations, and volunteers. That's how communities embrace their rivers and become River Town of the Year," Peckumn said.
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| | Clinton City Employees Received Praise For
Their Ongoing Efforts and Perseverance. |
Peckumn noted, for example, that Clinton worked with the Iowa DNR on the Wastewater Reclamation Facility - and with Camanche and Low Moor. The DNR provided half the funding for the Main Ave. Green Infrastructure Project. The Annual Bald Eagle Watch is co-hosted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mississippi River Project, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and Lock and Dam 13, and Clinton Community College. "Clinton is cooperating to rebuild its historic connection to the Mississippi," Peckumn said.
Iowa Rivers Revival presented the "River Town of the Year" award at an April 1 reception in Clinton. Mayor Mark Vulich and other leaders accepted the award on behalf of Clinton. IRR also honored Clinton at a reception at the state capitol on April 4.
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| | Clinton Riverfront Has Many Amenities, Recreation Opportunities, and a Beautiful View. |
Iowa Rivers Revival was founded nine years ago to be a voice for rivers. IRR is committed to helping Iowans work on education and public policy to restore and protect Iowa's rivers and streams. Previous "River Towns of the Year" recognized by Iowa Rivers Revival are Webster City, Elkader, Coon Rapids, Cedar Falls, Charles City, Central City, Dubuque, Manchester, and Council Bluffs (For details, go to www.iowarivers.org.) Helpful web sites:
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| | The "River Town of the Year" Award Ceremony Drew a Nice Crowd of Community Supporters. |
Photos by G.Stark
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A Quick Look At the 2016 IWTA Planning Calendar!
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Watch for river and shoreline cleanups in your community. With reduced vegetation and improved visibility, spring is a great time to remove the accumulated off-season trash.
(See April 20 event in Dubuque.)
Apr 14; Spring Migration on Mississippi Flyway, Clinton County. 5:30 pm at Bulger's Hollow, off US 67 North of Clinton. Mississippi River's Lake Clinton is a perfect place to view the spectacle! Naturalists will have spotting scopes set up in search of returning waterfowl including ducks, cormorants, pelicans, swans, herons, cranes and eagles. At 6:30 pm paddle-craft will be on hand for those who wish to venture out onto the water for a closer look if conditions are right. No need to sign-up for this free event, but contact Clinton County Conservation 563-259-1876 with questions.
Apr 15; Paddle the Refuge, 6:00 pm till Dark, Rock Creek Marina and Campground, Camanche. Meet at the paddle craft racks near the Mississippi River Eco-tourism Center at 5:45 PM to register. Explore the hidden pools and channels of the Upper Mississippi National Wildlife & Fish Refuge. Great warm season opener for paddlers, family friendly, followed by campfire, songs, snacks. You MUST REGISTER by calling 563-259-1876 by noon on April 15.
Apr 17; Jones County Earth Day Fair & Grant Wood Trail Pancake Breakfast, Anamosa. Sunday, 8:00 am-1:00 pm, Lawrence Community Center. Exhibits, food, music. Michele Olson, (319) 481-7987 naturalist@co.jones.ia.us
Apr 18; Best Time To View Planet Mercury. Low in western sky just after sunset.
Apr 18; Federal Income Tax Filing Deadline for Iowans (IA State Income Tax filing due Apr 30).
Apr 19; Iowa Legislative Session Target Close; (Day 100 of session, per diem expenses end).
Apr 20; CITO Lower Bee Branch Clean-up, Dubuque. Wednesday April 20, 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. Meet at the Lower Bee Branch maintenance shed 1553 Maple St. Dubuque, IA 52001.Apr 22; Full Moon. Friday, Sunrise 6:15, Sunset 7:56, Moonrise 8:29 CDT Apr 22; Earth Day. Annual observance of the first Earth Day in 1970. Apr 22-23; Lyrids Meteor Shower Peaks. Average shower, peaking at 20 meteors/hour. Apr 22-24; Outdoor Adventure Expo, Midwest Mountaineering, Minneapolis, MN. Apr 23; 4th Annual "Crossing the Delaware" Paddle, Maquoketa River, Delaware County.
Hosted by brother and sister team Sam Childs and Hannah Childs. Put in 7:00am at Joy Springs Park, west of Strawberry Point. Paddle as far as we can or to Hoeger's Bridge, south of Delhi off Hwy 38, (43 miles) whichever comes first. Options for shuttle &/or lunch (RSVP by Apr 16). Questions and RSVP direct to Hannah at: hannah_rayj@yahoo.com or Sam at: 563-213-0839. More info on Facebook - Crossing the Delaware.
Apr 30; Iowa State Income Tax Filing Deadline. Remember the Chickadee Check Off.
Apr 30; Iowa 3-Year Boat Registrations Expire. Remember to apply those new decals.
May 6-7; Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower Peaks. Above average shower, peaking at 60 meteors/hour.
May 8; Mothers Day.
May 8; "Mother's Day On the Marsh (MOM)," Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge, Odessa WT, near Wapello. Sunday, 9:00 am to 11:00 am. Leisurely paddle with naturalists to learn about birds & their broods. Canoes and kayaks are available, participation limited, registration required, fee. Open to everyone, but children under age 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Visit http://www.louisacountyconservation.org/ or call 319-523-8381.
Do YOU have WT-related events or planning info for 2016?
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We Hope That You Are Enjoying the "Award-Winning" IWTA Newsletter
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The mission of the IWTA is to facilitate the exchange of information, ideas and encouragement among Iowans working to create, enhance, or utilize our water trails. That is only possible with your participation. Thank you for your continuing support and encouragement.
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Sincerely,
Gregg Stark
Editor, Iowa Water Trails Association Newsletter
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