Calhoun County approves permanent easements for pump wetlands under Iowa Water Quality Initiative

The Calhoun County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on April 7 to adopt Resolution 2026-09 and enter into permanent easements under the Iowa Water Quality Initiative to allow construction of pump wetlands on county-owned property. The board recorded that no written or oral objections were received during the public hearing.

The easements cover two parcels: a 3.41-acre property and an 8.83-acre property. The board approved a motion authorizing Chair Scott Jacobs to sign each easement, and legal descriptions and Exhibit A for both parcels were placed on file in the Auditor’s Office. The vote on Resolution 2026-09 was taken by roll call and recorded as Ayes: Ridgely, George, Jacobs; Nays: None.

The Iowa Water Quality Initiative easements are intended to facilitate construction of pump wetlands in partnership with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Calhoun County Soil and Water Conservation District. County officials stated that no objections were presented at the hearing. Jeremy Viles, NRCS District Conservationist, separately requested county support for a related waterway signage project; the board asked staff to consult County Engineer Nick Buse before deciding on signage support.

The board’s approval authorizes the chair to finalize and sign the easement documents so that the construction and related conservation work may proceed under the terms recorded in the Auditor’s Office. No further timeline for construction was specified at the meeting.