Letter: Vote yes for conservation bond

As executive director for the Linn County Conservation Board, it is my job to work to help improve the quality of life of Linn County residents by protecting natural areas, improving water quality of rivers and streams and providing public spaces for outdoor recreation.

During my over 40 years of experience with Linn County Conservation, I have seen the quality of our rivers and streams suffer due to high nitrate levels posing a risk to our drinking water sources. Also, I have seen severe changes to our natural landscapes causing erosion and continued diminishing of our natural habitats.

The historic floods of 2008 and 2016 along the rivers and streams in Linn County reinforces the need for solutions to help reduce flooding. Linn County Conservation can help by collaborating with landowners and others to create new and expand existing natural floodwater storage areas such as wetlands.

Linn County voters have the opportunity to invest in water quality by voting on Linn County's Water & Land Legacy Bond. This bond would provide $40 million over 20 years toward protecting sources of drinking water and the water quality of rivers and streams, protecting land to provide natural floodwater storage to reduce flooding; providing funds to improve parks and trails; and protecting wildlife habitat and natural areas. Over half of the bond funds will be spent on water quality and land protection projects.

On Nov. 8, vote for Linn County's Water and Land Legacy Bond - it's our future, our water and we must protect it.

Dan L. Biechler, Executive Director

Linn County Conservation Board

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