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 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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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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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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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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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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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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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
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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