Topsoil restoration could wash away

Change may be in store for an Iowa regulation that requires builders/developers in cities, including Davenport and Bettendorf, to restore the topsoil theyscrape off during grading.

Since late 2012, the return of 4 inches of topsoil in areas where there was at least 4 inches of topsoil in the first place has been required on tracts of an acre or more in certain Iowa cities.

This was a big change from the decades-oldpractice of skimming off topsoil and selling it or using it elsewhere, leaving landowners with lots composed largely of clay.

A key goal of the regulation wasto reduce stormwater runoff and flooding in new developments because topsoil, by its composition, acts as a sponge for water, whereas clayis nearly impervious to water, allowing it to wash down the street, carrying pollutants, said Joe Griffin, the stormwater coordinator for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, or DNR.

When the 4-inch requirement went into effect, the Iowa Home Builders Association estimated the cost of compliance would be about $300 or $400 per lot. But after implementation, membersdiscovered the actual cost is more than 10 times that, the association has said.

Developers claimed economic hardship and approached Gov. Terry Branstad. A stakeholdergroupwas formed toconsider alternatives.

The seven-memberstakeholder group that was selectedby the DNR directorin consultation with the governor's office met this spring andwillmakerecommendations Tuesday at a meeting of the state's Environmental Protection Commission.

No action will be taken at the meeting, butfuture action could include the repeal or amendment of the regulation, Griffin said.

Grimes, Clarke citetopsoil benefits

The DNR has invited written comments and posted them on its website. Of approximately 195posted by Friday, about half support the regulation and about half oppose it.

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Topsoil restoration could wash away