New berm will destroy trees, bald eagle habitat

As a resident of Baculis Mobile Home Park, I watched in horror as the 500-year flood in 2008 threatened the houses located there.

The earthen berm that was constructed in 1994 (following the 1993 flood) held firm and was one of the few success stories during that historical disaster. Now the city is going to spend $3.8 million, part of which will be used to tear out this berm and replace it with another, slightly higher one. During this project, wonderful old trees will be destroyed. These are a bald eagle habitat, not to mention home to many other bird species. While flood protection is a fine idea, there is no need to remove the trees and waste huge sums of money. The new berm could be tied in to the existing one, protecting the south-side businesses and the more vulnerable Thatcher Park further south.

It would be much appreciated if the area's environmentalists, birders and others could be updated on the status of this most unnecessary aspect of this ill-advised endeavor. This project has not received any media attention, possibly due to the focus on the flood protection controversy regarding the more affluent Idyllwild/Taft areas.

I hope that there are many others who will actually visit the park and feel compelled to raise their voices. The absurdity of the situation will be most apparent.

Gary Hagen

Iowa City