Big Slough area of Mississippi River is focus of meeting discussing clean-up efforts after recent series of flooding ...

Several organizations including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Friends of Pool 9 and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) met with Allamakee County Emergency Management Coordinator Corey Snitker and other area officials Friday, September 30 to discuss options related to the clean-up of the Big Slough area (pictured more closely above and in a much broader view below) just south of where the Upper Iowa River empties into the Mississippi River southeast of New Albin and west of Black Hawk Park. In addition to trees and other natural debris from area flooding in late August, the Big Slough debris field also includes what is considered to be man-made debris, such as home and other building items, propane tanks, trailers, hay bales, as well as dead animals and other debris swept away by flash flooding and following the natural flow into Big Slough before settling there to create what is being labeled as both a health concern and an environmental issue.

During Friday's meeting it was established that the debris field is primarily within the Fish & Wildlife Service's jurisdiction with some jurisdiction within the Army Corps of Engineers' responsibility. Snitker said he will be working with the Iowa DNR and the recent FEMA disaster declaration to see if there is funding available to assist with the clean-up project. Concurrently, Snitker will also be looking at grants and private funding or assistance options that may be available to assist with this project financially. Living Lands & Water (LLW) is an organization Snitker mentioned that may help with the man-made debris while trees may remain in Big Slough since they are technically considered fish habitat. Preliminary cost estimates for clean-up of the area are in the neighborhood of $100,000. Submitted photo.