The final version of the "Loess Hills of Western Iowa Special Resource Study and Environmental Assessment", dated January 2002 (with 134 pages + 7 appendices), has been

officially approved by Congress and has now been released by the National Park Service. The Executive Summary (pages iii-v) follows.

The contact person for the Special Resource Study on behalf of the National Park Service is Sue Jennings, National Park Service, 1709 Jackson Street, Omaha, NE; phone

(402)221-3493; email [email protected]).


***EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Loess Hills of western Iowa are a distinctive topographic region encompassing more than 640,000 acres and extending for nearly 200 miles in a

narrow band that parallels the Missouri River valley. Here, exceptionally thick deposits of windblown silt, form a region of unique hill forms that have been described as "the best

example of loess topography not only in the Central Lowlands, but in the United States" (National Park Service 1985). The striking terrain is an outstanding example of landscapes

formed by two fundamental geological processes-- the action of wind and the erosive sculpturing of water. The intricately dissected region is characterized by distinctive shapes:

narrow corrugated ridges with alternating peaks and saddles; numerous steep side slopes and branching spurs, often featuring natural benches known as "catsteps"; and precipitous

bluffs, some with sheer, nearly vertical faces rising from the adjoining Missouri River floodplain. The geological significance of the Loess Hills has been recognized for well over a

hundred years, and the biological significance for nearly as long. The area's rich archaeological and historical resources, combined with the extensive prairie ecosystems, contribute

to the landform region's exceptional value. In 1999, Congress directed the National Park Service to conduct a special resource study to evaluate the Loess Hills of Iowa for possible

designation as a unit of the National Park System. The study includes a natural and cultural resources overview that describes the study area, and evaluates the national significance

of the Loess Hills as well as the suitability and feasibility of including this entire landform region as a unit of the National Park System. In accordance with this legislative direction,

the NPS has provided management ecommendations for the long-term preservation of the Loess Hills of western Iowa in this study document. The National Park Service recognizes

that there is a strong desire by many people and organizations to preserve the scenic and natural values of the area. Already, a number of promising efforts to protect and interpret the

Loess Hills have been initiated by state, local, and private entities. These entities include seven local County Conservation Boards, Golden Hills Resource Conservation and

Development, Loess Hills Alliance, Western Iowa Tourism Region, Western Hills Area Education Agency, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Loess Hills National Scenic Byway

Council, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, Loess Hills Preservation Society, and The Nature Conservancy. Additionally, the Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and

Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey, and the Natural Resource Conservation Service serves as partners in several efforts currently underway to study and protect the Loess

Hills.

Based on the application of National Park Service criteria, the NPS concludes that the Loess Hills landform region contains resources of national significance. It also finds

that the Loess Hills would be a suitable addition to the National Park System. However, the ownership pattern, size, multiple jurisdictions, diverse threats, and lack of comprehensive

planning make designation as a unit of the National Park Service not feasible. Therefore the Loess Hills do not meet the requirements for inclusion into the National Park System.

Four management frameworks for the long-term preservation of the Loess Hills are identified and evaluated in this special resource study. One management concept provides for the

continuation of local management at the city and/or county levels (no change), while another calls for a more holistic approach to managing the region through the formation of a Joint

Powers Board. The Joint Powers Board could be composed of representatives from each county containing a portion of the landform region. Neither of these concepts includes federal

designation. The other two alternatives include NPS involvement by designating either portions of, or the entire region as a National Reserve, an affiliated area of the NPS. Each

management option considers land protection programs already available in the Loess Hills, comments received from landowners and citizens living within the study area, as well as

comments from the general public. Together, these four alternatives, while having various degrees of federal, state, and local involvement, remain sensitive to private landowner

concerns and complement existing conservation efforts of state, local, and private entities. In evaluating the management alternatives and reviewing public comments, the NPS

recognized the value of having strong, locally based support and commitment to preserving the Loess Hills landform region. The NPS also recognized that the agency could provide

support to these efforts to protect the significant resources of the Loess Hills and could help ensure that these resources are preserved for generations to come. The recommended

management strategy for the Loess Hills landform region is a blend of the four management alternatives previously discussed. This combination relies upon local planning efforts and

the voluntary formation of a Joint Powers Board. Upon completion of a Comprehensive Plan that meets NPS [standards], the Loess Hills of western Iowa, or selected segments of the

Loess Hills, could be designated as a National Reserve by request of the Joint Powers Board and the Governor of Iowa. This strategy provides for an initiative that originates at the

local level and allows for state and federal assistance. The recommendation recognizes the national significance of the Loess Hills, encourages and enables local units of government

to develop measures to protect the resources of the Loess Hills. The recommendation also provides for federal participation in the preservation of the Loess Hills at a level of

involvement supported by local government and citizens of the region. Additionally, the study team recommends the following studies: -An evaluation of the Glenwood Archaeological

Locality and the Jones Creek Watershed properties for possible National Historic Landmark designation. -An evaluation of any or all of the 12 Special Landscape Areas identified by

this study Appendix D) for National Natural Landmark designation. -An ethnographic resources study to include a cultural affiliation component and a cultural properties survey

that identifies places in the Loess Hills that are important to the cultural traditions and beliefs of native peoples who have an historical association with the Loess Hills. The National

Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Council on Environmental Quality regulations for implementing NEPA, and NPS Director's Order-12 direct the NPS to consider the

environmental consequences of proposed federal actions. NEPA also directs federal agencies to include the public in implementing their NEPA procedures. Through newsletters,

press releases, and public workshops, the public was invited to participate in the Loess Hills study. Substantive comments were incorporated into the final evaluation. The Loess Hills

Special Resource Study (SRS) includes an environmental assessment (EA) that provides an analysis of the environmental consequences of the management alternatives considered in

the SRS. With the information provided through public scoping and public review, the Loess Hills of Western Iowa Special Resource Study/Environmental Assessment was

with a Finding of No Significant Impact. ***