Land Protection within the Raccoon River Greenbelt

Seven categories are used to evaluate properties for inclusion into the public lands system. For a property to qualify for acquisition it usually fits into several of the adopted categories. Properties are ranked in terms of priority based upon their relationship to the seven categories. Land is only purchased from willing sellers.

1. Unique resource sites may include areas with special features such as rare and endangered species, unique geologic formations, unique plant communities, special federal or state protected areas or archaeological sites.
2. "Mega" sites are developed in areas suitable for large resource sites because of there location or relationship to existing pubic lands or large tracts of relatively undisturbed natural area.
3. River access points are acquired for public access to the river system. Access points may rank higher if they are adjacent to a federal or state protected area or recreational attraction.
4. Recreation sites and parks are easily accessible areas that provide space for active and passive forms outdoor recreation.
5. Trails and trail corridors include land and water based trails for hiking, bicycling and canoeing.
6. Support sites include lands or waters adjacent to existing public land.
7. Historic and cultural sites include areas rich in Native and European history. These sites commonly serve as social gathering areas.

Funding for land acquisition projects comes from federal, state and private grant programs. A single or several grants may be used to fund an acquisition project. Programs common in Iowa include, Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP), Habitat Stamp Fund and the Water Recreation Access Cost Share program.