A state Senator from Marshalltown is ticked that a butterfly may delay construction of the four-lane expressway linking Marshalltown to Des Moines. State environmental officials are examining an area along the route where a rare butterfly has been spotted. Senator Larry McKibben says the butterfly isn’t that rare, as it’s not on the national endangered species list.McKibben says the Governor should put the matter to rest and order the construction to go ahead, as planned, rather than be delayed as scientists study the area.McKibben says if Vilsack fails to act, he’ll sponsor legislation to put an end to the butterfly flap.The Mulberry Wing butterfly has been seen laying eggs in a marsh along the highway route. The D.O.T. has delayed re-construction of the area beside the marsh while biologists study the butterfly. A few years ago, state officials working to keep Lennox Industries expanding in Marshalltown promised to step-up construction of an expressway connecting Marshalltown to Des Moines.
