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Sustainability director outlines grants, watershed coordination and water-sampling plans
Summary
Kara Mattson, Linn County sustainability director, told supervisors on April 8 about grant applications, a proposed road-structure pilot to reduce flooding impacts, watershed collaborations, a proposed surface-water sampling project tied to an Iowa cancer consortium grant and outreach plans including EcoFest on April 26.
Kara Mattson, sustainability director for Linn County, updated the Board on April 8 about the department's strategic priorities, grant work and coordination with watershed partners and public health.
Mattson said the department's mission follows the county's "triple bottom line" approach—balancing people, place and economics—and that her office is pursuing multiple funding opportunities including a Brownfields grant with East Central Iowa COG, a previously awarded Iowa DNR tree grant that is on hold pending federal funding, and applications for Safe Streets for All (SS4A) and other programs.
She described a proposed pilot for "road structure" interventions that would slightly raise road elevation in selected locations to slow and temporarily detain water, reduce peak runoff and lower downstream flood impacts. Mattson said the pilot would involve collaboration with Secondary Roads, Soil and Water Conservation District and Conservation staff and would target locations where the county expects measurable benefits.
On water sampling, Mattson said Linn County plans to apply to the Iowa Cancer Consortium for funding to support surface-water sampling and to assess current sampling practices. She said the proposed sampling would be for surface water only and that she will follow up with Public Health to coordinate groundwater or private-well needs separately. "This sampling would be for surface water only," she said.
Mattson listed active watershed engagements: Linn County participates in six Watershed Management Authorities, Indian Creek WMA renewed funding to continue a historical USGS stream gauge in Thomas Park, and the Middle Cedar WMA is active in sampling partnerships with the Iowa Soybean Association and the University of Iowa. She also noted a potential source of private funding from data centers for local infrastructure projects and encouraged communities to assemble project lists for potential corporate support.
Mattson invited supervisors to EcoFest (April 26) and described smaller pilot ideas at county facilities, including an urban beehive at the Community Services Building. She added that the Iowa Geological Survey is beginning aquifer mapping work that could inform long-term water-resource planning, and that she will continue to coordinate with public health and other partners.
Quotes in this article are from Kara Mattson and Board members during the sustainability update.
