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successes of the 2008 conservation bond

In 2008, a super majority of Johnson County voters selected YES at the ballot box to create a $20 million bond for the Johnson County Conservation Board. This bond authorized the Board to acquire and develop lands with public access in order to protect the water quality in rivers, lakes, and streams; protect forests to improve air quality; protect natural areas and wildlife habitat from development; and provide for parks and trails, at a cost not exceeding $20 million. All expenditures were subject to an annual third party audit.

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To date, the bond helped leverage more than $17.1 million in grants, donations, and revenues. 1,176.7 acres of largely non-farmable land has been acquired for public use. 9.2 miles of hard-surface trails have been built, with more on the way. The $20 million bond became $37.2 million in local investment in conservation projects throughout Johnson County...almost doubling the taxpayers' investment.

clear creek conservation area
2009

87 Acres Acquired

69% of Cost from Conservation Bond

31% of Cost from Conservation Trust

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Clear Creek Conservation Area
Clear Creek Trail 2010

clear creek Trail
2010

1.3 Miles Acquired

15% of Cost from Conservation Bond

85% of Cost from REAP Grant

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Ciha fen preserve
2011

80 Acres Acquired

40% of Cost from Conservation Bond

60% of Cost from REAP Grant

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Ciha Fen
Kent Park Campground Design

FW kent park
showerhouse and campground entry planning & design
2014

100% of Cost from Conservation Bond

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Sutliff Bridge Access - West Site
2014

100% of Cost from Conservation Bond

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Sutliff Bridge West Access
Cedar River Crossing

Cedar River Crossing Addition
2014

173.5 Acres Acquired

72% of Cost from Conservation Bond

28% of Cost from Conservation Trust

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hoover trail

2014-2020

Seven Sister Road to Solon

5.9 Miles

45% of Cost from Conservation Bond

23% of Cost from State Recreation Trails Grants

9% of Cost from Federal Recreation Trails Grant

23% of Cost from Federal Land Access Program

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Hoover Trail

Pechman Creek Delta
2016

380 Acres

40% of Cost from Conservation Bond

60% of Cost from State REAP Grant

Additional Funds from Whitetails Unlimited Grant

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Pechman Creek
Kent Park Restoration

FW Kent Park Lake Restoration
2015-2019

 

45% of Cost from Conservation Bond

55% of Cost from Iowa DNR Lake Restoration Program

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Iowa River Trail Mehaffey Bridge
2018-2020

2 Miles

57% of Cost from Conservation Bond

6% of Cost from MPOJC Transportation Enhancement

27% from RPA Region 10 Transportation Enhancement

10% from RPA Region 10 Transportation Alternatives

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Iowa River Trail Mehaffey Bridge
Cangleska Wakan

Cangleska Wakan
2019

 

132 Acres

100% of Cost from Conservation Bond

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Malinda Reif Reilly Fen & Prairie
2020

100 Acres

57% of Cost from Conservation Bond

43% of Cost from REAP Grant

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Malinda Reif Reilly
Two Horse Farm

Two horse farm
2022

 

Land Acquisition

49% of cost from Conservation Bond

35% of cost from a donation from landowners

16% of cost from REAP Grant

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Portion of land transferred to Iowa Tribe of Kansas & Nebraska by the Melloy Family in September 2022. The JCCB entered into a management agreement with the Iowa Tribe of Kansas & Nebraska to assist with the management of the land.

Hoover Trail Morse to Oasis

Hoover Trail
2022

 

8.5 Acres from Morse to Oasis

100% of Cost from Conservation Bond

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Clear Creek Trail
2023

Land acquisition completed, project in progress to continue trail west to FW Kent Park.

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Clear Creek Trail Bikes
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