New Linn County sustainability office outlines brownfields, watershed and mapping plans

Karen Madison, the county’s sustainability director, presented a multi‑topic update on Jan. 14, describing the department’s mission, a newly identified office, and several collaborative grant and pilot projects aimed at flood mitigation, water quality and community resilience.

"Our mission is to establish resilient people, communities and organizations through economic development, environmental services and climate analysis," Madison said, and described three key performance indicators guiding the new office’s work: securing funding partnerships, advancing sustainability in county facilities, and expanding public education and outreach.

Madison said the sustainability office is a collaborative partner on a regional brownfields grant application led by EC COG (the regional council of governments); she said the collaborative application asked for $1,500,000. She also reported that the department has applied to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources for a tree grant focused on urban‑core planting and associated contracting and watering services.

Iowa Geological Survey mapping: Madison described conversations with the Iowa Geological Survey about producing a county groundwater‑vulnerability map similar to a recent Black Hawk County product. The survey provided a cost estimate and Madison said county staff are exploring funding partnerships and an anticipated timeline; she also said staff plan to ask Black Hawk County about their experience with timeline and deployment.

On‑road structures and watershed work: Madison reviewed an "on‑road structures" concept developed elsewhere in Iowa in which the county raises select road segments so they act as temporary holding features during high flows; such structures can have flood‑mitigation benefits and — with design tweaks — can be adapted to add water‑quality benefits that broaden funding eligibility. Madison said Linn County staff are identifying pilot locations based on factors such as culvert needs, known flooding, and landowner willingness.

Madison gave updates from several watershed management authorities: - Upper Wapsipinicon WMA: Projects built through a HUD‑funded watershed effort total about $2,700,000 in construction costs; Linn County does not currently contribute funds to that WMA but Madison said she is preparing a literature review to estimate return on investment beyond construction costs. - Indian Creek WMA: Linn County contributes $15,030 annually to Indian Creek WMA; Madison said earlier soil‑health programming by the WMA produced an estimated 371% return on investment based on county contributions and program outcomes (she called this a low estimate). - Middle Iowa WMA: Consultants presented a watershed plan and prioritized HUC‑12 subwatersheds for detailed planning; Madison said Hoosier Creek was discussed but not selected for the first HUC‑12 detailed plan; she noted the county’s presence at those meetings offers non‑monetary value through staff participation.

Regional planning and climate work: Madison said EC COG’s EPA‑funded comprehensive climate action plan will produce an updated greenhouse‑gas inventory for the region and for individual counties; she said Linn County will benefit from the regional contract and that the sustainability office will coordinate county inputs and help integrate existing county greenhouse‑gas work.

Other items: Madison said the sustainability office will participate in EcoFest planning, has connected with the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation and the Nature Conservancy on potential projects, and is exploring partnerships with the Iowa Cancer Consortium and county public health on environmental‑health work.

Ending: Madison said the sustainability office is still forming; staff will continue to present pilot proposals and funding requests to the board as projects mature.

(Editor’s note: dollar figures and return-on-investment estimates were presented by the sustainability director as described to the board; Madison called some ROI figures "low estimates" and said she is preparing additional analysis.)