IOWA CITY
A U.S. Geological Survey study of the Silurian Aquifer projects that there will be a “drawdown” of up to 13 meters of water in the next 20 years in the Iowa City area.
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IOWA CITY
A U.S. Geological Survey study of the Silurian Aquifer projects that there will be a “drawdown” of up to 13 meters of water in the next 20 years in the Iowa City area.
“It’s scary,” Supervisor Lisa Green-Douglass said during the Johnson County Board of Supervisors May 14 work session.
“We need to be talking with our city partners about residential and industrial uses that are drawing us faster,” Supervisor Rod Sullivan said. “It doesn’t do too much to have just the county working on this and not anybody else.”
Population increases in Johnson County have increased water usage by 25% since the last Silurian model in 2006, according to the study presented to the Board by Judith Thomas, USGS Central Midwest Section Chief.
The Silurian Aquifer includes all of Johnson County and portions of surrounding counties, but southern Johnson County does not have the same extreme water projections as Iowa City and its northern suburban cities.
“Everybody is concerned about it,” said Josh Busard, Director of Johnson County’s Department of Planning, Development and Sustainability.
The study projects an increase in pumping rates, due to increasing population, along with a “moderate decrease” in precipitation associated with periodic drought.
Rezoning & Planning
The Board approved a request by Brett and Jennifer Kiene to rezone 1.94 acres from agricultural to residential for a property located along Sioux Avenue SE, west of Lone Tree. Preliminary and final plats for the one-lot subdivision, called Westtoot Bluff, were also approved.
The Board approved preliminary and final plats for Barn Yard Acre, a two-lot subdivision located on the east side of Highway 1 SW in Stringtown. The request was made by Willis E. Schlabach.
Board Action
The Board withdrew Johnson County from the Mental Health/Disability Services of the East Central Region, due to state law changes, and declined an invitation to serve as fiscal agent for the newly established District 7 Disability Access Point.
The Board approved a job description for Case Management Administrator.
The Board issued a proclamation in honor of Emergency Medical Services Week (May 18-24).
Next meeting:
The Board’s next formal session is at 9 a.m. May 22.
