Reader responses sprout from compacted clay as topsoil debate continues

Digging into a debate over topsoil yielded plenty of reader feedback.

Two Sundays ago, I wrote about an Iowa Department of Natural Resources rule that requires homebuilders and developers to put 4 inches of topsoil back onto finished building sites. In many cases, including in my own neighborhood, rich topsoil was stripped away to ease construction, but was not replaced. Our sod sits on compacted clay subsoil.

If you care about soil and water conservation, soil stripping is a lousy practice. Stormwater infiltrates topsoil, but it rushes off compacted clay almost like pavement. Growing grass on scraped ground means pouring on lots of water and chemicals. The rule, written in consultation with builders and developers, sought to address those problems.

But now, a DNR 'stakeholder group” is revisiting that 2012 rule. Four of its seven members appointed by the Branstad administration represent Realtors, homebuilders, developers and earthmovers who contend the 4-inch rule is too costly. The group has held two closed meetings, but it will hold an open session to receive public comment at 10 a.m. on May 29 at the Wallace Building auditorium in Des Moines.

My take is that a stacked committee and closed meetings are no way to explore changes in a rule that affects not only builders, but also thousands of Iowans who buy new homes expecting a functional yard. Instead, they find themselves between brown sod and a hard place. Runoff and water-quality issues carry big costs, as do stripped yards.

And although I get builders' economic concerns, soil preservation should have been required years ago. A home's true cost should include its topsoil.

Readers agree.

'This is where I do believe regulation does have its place,” Dave Halfpap wrote in an email to me and to the DNR. 'I'm a free government type of person, but there are certain things that need to be regulated just because it's the right thing to do.”

Several readers told of problems trying to plant trees, gardens and even grass on scraped lawns. Chris and Erin Gilroy of North Liberty repeatedly have tried to seed their lawn with little success, experienced severe runoff and even applied for help under the city's stormwater cost-share program.

'While we respect that responsibility rests on us as the buyers/homeowners, we are frustrated,” they wrote. 'We are still in the process of working with vendors to get our yard in a healthy state.”

Rich Patterson, former longtime director of the Indian Creek Nature Center, shared a few topsoil-building tips. He suggests mowing as infrequently as possible, setting the mower high and leaving clippings in place, all in the interest of encouraging the creation of new topsoil. Patterson also says compost can be added to a yard an inch at a time.

Many of the folks who wrote to me also wrote to Adam.Schnieders@dnr.iowa.gov. Schnieders is collecting comments and forwarding them to stakeholders. More than 30 comments have been received, with all, so far, in support of keeping the 4-inch rule.

'As a gardener, I know topsoil is a valuable commodity, more precious to me than any jewels,” wrote Lisa Ross Thedens of Walker.

l Comments: (319) 398-8452; todd.dorman@thegazette.com