The Sierra Club ranks Iowa 33rd among the states for its protection of land,particularly “open spaces” in cities and suburbia. The Sierra Club report concludes the state of Iowa does a poor job or is”not effective” in protecting open spaces and preventing building or”sprawl” on flood plains. Senator Joe Bolkcom of Iowa City is a Sierra Clubmember.Bolkcom says city and county governments need to come up with plans whichprotect “open spaces” from development.According to the Sierra Club, Iowa does a good job of establishing ag landdistricts and, compared to other states, the percent of Iowa farmland”destroyed by development” is less than most other states. Bolkcom saysthat’s deceiving given the massive urban sprawl gobbing up agland aroundDes Moines, the Iowa City/Cedar Rapids corridor and Council Bluffs.Bolkcom speaks at a 12:30 Sierra Club news conference in Iowa City.
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