Conservation Board Minutes – September 2025

The Allamakee County Conservation Board met in regular session September 2, 2025 beginning at 1 p.m. at the Driftless Area Education and Visitor Center in Lansing, Iowa.  Board members who were present were: Jesse Delaney, Marilyn Clark, Steve Weymiller and Jeanie Carroll.  Attending from the Allamakee County Conservation Board staff was Ross Geerdes, Erin Cubbon, and Becca Hefflefinger.  Attending from the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors was Tom Clark.  The meeting was called to order at 1:00 p.m. A motion was made by Weymiller and a second by Carroll to approve the minutes of the August 2025 meeting.  All in favor.  

There was no Public Comment.

The board reviewed and approved the claims with a motion by M. Clark and second by Carroll.  All in favor.  

The Director presented information from Auditor Beyer on The Iowa Public Information Board training that is being required of newly elected or appointed board members in Iowa.  Because all of the ACCB members were appointed prior to the July 1, 2025 date they are not required to take the training, but it is encouraged for them too.  Geerdes will continue to provide updates on training opportunities as they are made available to him.  

Director Geerdes moved into presenting information and updates on the August 2025 flooding.  Geerdes informed the board that they were able to prepare the areas along the Upper Iowa River as much as possible by removing picnic tables, gates, and any other objects that would be below the predicted crest height.  The river crested 2-3’ less than was predicted by NOAA and much of the impacts were avoided.  Red Bud landing did receive some erosion and damage to the rip rap.  Geerdes is working with Secondary Roads to receive fill that is being removed from the County Right of Way in the area and will also have to work with a contractor to place rip rap over the fill to protect it.  Geerdes will communicate with Pat Ryan to see about the possibility of placing rip rap on a portion of his shore line to further protect the area.  Geerdes contacted the Iowa DNR Fisheries managers in the Decorah office and they believe that a permit is not needed for the work in the floodplain since it is repairing existing rip rap that a permit was obtained for previously.  

Informational items presented to the board included information regarding the automation system for the Driftless Center lighting and issues that are re-occurring with that.  Geerdes informed the board of the status of the seasonal staff Dave Blocker and Judah Johnson and projects they have been working on including continued mowing of the areas, maintenance of the docks and boat landings, and construction, repair and staining on shelter houses.  The annual meeting of the Allamakee County Conservation Foundation will be October 7 after the next ACCB meeting.  Geerdes invited all members to attend whether they are apart of the foundation or not.  The board and T. Clark discussed the most recent news regarding the closure of the Lansing Bridge and potential impacts it would have on the Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center.  

The time and date for the next meeting was set for October 7, 2025 at 1 p.m.  

With no additional business the meeting was concluded at 1:46 p.m. with a motion by Carroll and seconded by Weymiller to adjourn.  All in favor.  

Posted: January 6, 2026 in 2025 Conservation Board Minutes & Agendas

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