Following almost two years of work by more than 100 people, including experts, agency and organization representatives and other interested individuals, a new plan for Iowa's wildlife is nearing completion, and a draft is now available for public review and comment. Copies of the plan will be available as noted below.
"Securing a Future for Fish and Wildlife: a Conservation Legacy for Iowans" is the first attempt ever to enumerate most of the state's wildlife and evaluate the status of each species. It also examines stresses on wild creatures or their habitats and lays out visions and strategies to conserve wildlife over the next 25 years.
Also known as the Iowa Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Plan, the document identifies 999 species of birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians, mussels (freshwater clams), land snails, butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies. These groups were selected for inclusion because there is sufficient data to identify all of the known species, or because DNR has statutory authority for conservation and management of the listed groups. Fully one-third of all species found in Iowa are of concern due to their decline across the state. Plants are not listed because it is intended as a wildlife plan. However, plant communities are an important part of the habitats for most of Iowa's wildlife and are addressed in terms of habitat throughout the plan.
Comprehensive Wildlife Plans are required of any government entity receiving federal money through the State Wildlife Grants (SWG) program. All 50 states, five U.S. territories, the District of Columbia and several Native American tribes receive these annual grants from Congress. The Iowa DNR has been allocated more than $3 million since 2001, with funds used to enhance its Wildlife Diversity Program, through increased research, habitat protection, and management for "species of greatest conservation need." Iowa must match the SWG income dollar-for-dollar with non-federal funds. Should the required comprehensive plans fail to be accepted by Congress this fall, states may lose their qualification for funding.
The public is invited to review the Iowa plan and submit comments to the DNR. Comments will be reviewed, considered and the plan may be appropriately modified before a final version is prepared this summer. All comments or suggestions will be maintained on file with the plan for future reference.
In order to meet timetables for review, completion and submission to Congress, the version available for public review still is undergoing some format changes. Therefore, the final version may not exactly resemble the version now available for review. Interested citizens may find copies of the plan in .pdf format on DNR's website at www.iowadnr.com. Anyone without internet access may request a copy on CD-ROM or in print format. Comments will be accepted through June 6 by mail addressed to Wildlife Plan, c/o DNR Wildlife Research Station, 1436-255th Street, Boone, IA 50036, or by email addressed to wildlifeplan@dnr.state.ia.us. Use the Boone mailing address, or phone 515-432-2823, to request a CD or paper copy.
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