Cedar Removal Considerations on Sandhills Highways

During a recent trip through the sandhills, notes were kept on the situation regarding cedar trees along the some highways in the region. There were some places where there were no errant cedars. These locales presented a wonderful vista, which truly represented a sea of grass.

The following areas were otherwise, and details were provided to staff at the Nebraska Department of Roads so they can know of the problem and put sufficient effort into the task to get rid of the cedar trees.

• along Highway 91 from Highway 2 at Dunning to Brewster; this was the worse condition of a roadside noted
• Highway 97 north of Mullen, especially from the village to the county line
• Highway 83 north of Thedford; most of the unwanted trees are to the southern extent, as upon getting into Cherry county there are only a few which mar the view. The grassland along this stretch is mostly tree of trees and by removing the relatively few trees present, this would create a wonderful vista of the grass scape.
• Highway 2 west of Broken Bow; especially to Merna and Anselmo

Also, along Highway 20 from Cody to Merriman, there is perhaps one cedar tree along the highway that needs to still be removed. It would be gone now except a large enough saw was not available to remove it. Two other smaller cedars were recently cut to achieve the goal of having no invasive cedar trees.

In 2004, the Nebraska Department of Roads initiated a program to remove cedar trees in this region. There are some obvious successes for this effort, but the work needs to be actively continued.

Ground-breaking at Glenwood Interchange for Highway 34 Project

On Thursday afternoon, September 9th, a ground-breaking ceremony for the Highway 34 - Bellevue Bridge project was held west of the Interstate-29 interchange, near Glenwood, Iowa. It was on public property, which, based upon earlier communications, was an important and essential condition of the day.

About 200 people had gathered, including too many politicians and business proponents from the surrounding area, with the most prominent listed on the flyer, handed-out for the ceremony.

Among the crowd were four birders cognizant of the special values which the La Platte Bottoms have for a myriad of birds.

Once the law men noticed our initial look-about with a pair of binoculars - to see if the rest of our group had arrived and explanation of our purpose - they laid down the rules of the day. We could stay if we did not cause any problems, did not disrupt the event and would basically comply with what they said was okay.

Justin Rink holding his "Barry the Bittern" sign at the event.

Justin Rink's sign - carefully and personally made the evening before - featured a hand-drawn Least Bittern - notably a male with the name of Barry, though only one person noticed - with the words "Evicted" to indicate how the pending ruination of the wetlands will destroy its summer habitat.

Once we made our way to the "official" area, we were immediately shown where we could stand. The sheriffs from Mills County did not want any trouble. Once we were noticed in the parking lot, the two of us forged onward to the our designated place, the "protester box" on the north side of the gathering.

The crowd was noisy, and we quietly chatted among ourselves, while keeping the signs out front and obvious.

The law enforcement officers soon noted the arrival of the better half of our group. Since after some angst of pondering, with a timely and appreciated arrival, up went three other signs were finely made in detail by Shari Schwartz. John Carlini was also on the scene. They stood next to the "Barry the Bittern" sign, at our spot upon the grass, north of the throng.

We were there to present an opposing view, with each of us soon holding a large sign expressing a terse but pertinent message how the highway will ruin the unique wetlands. Each of us four held high our expressive placard, making sure it would be readily seen others at the scene.

We stood together the first ever, visible expression of dissent for a highway project in this region. It was a new reality in more ways than one.

For two of us on the scene, we had also never been visibly expression in opposition to wetland ruination, and the day was a grand time to get out of our box, and make a prominent statement.

Capitalists and Politicians Talk

Once the "ceremony" began, it was a basic litany of politicians talking about nothing of consequence, inane comments about football, and other self-congratulatory words given to a crowd which hung on every word, clapping appreciably while photographers and videographers milled about capturing the day's so-called significance.

When the welcoming comments were finished, the speaker had all the "dignitaries" stand up, and they applauded themselves for accomplishing a "number 1 priority project."

The theme of the day was: "Meet You in the Middle in 2013!" which referred to the ribbon-cutting which will occur once the project is completed.

After some more opening remarks, Governor Dave Heineman was at the podium. He noted it was "very significant" that Iowa and Nebraska worked together on a project important to both states, but readily made more comments about football than the topic-of-the-day. It was a lame speech, but certainly not from his perspective, and he could have talked about the years' corn yield and the weather and the crowd would have still clapped.

Next up was the Lieutenant governor of Iowa, Patty Judge. Her theme was how the road project will help to "grow" southwest Iowa ... as "bridges open up communities" and that this particular bridge will "tie together two states with a lot in common." And, the "possibilities will be endless," she said.

All of these comments were noted while sometimes holding up a sign, to one extent or another, while listening to a tepid sound system on a windy day on the floodplain of the Missouri River. The two Mills County sheriffs were right next to our gang of four, so these were the safest notes ever made during three decades of writing about things.

Football rivalry was a common theme during the hour and 15-minute ceremony, and was just too much, to express an opinion. The event would have been half as long if there had been no comments about collegiate athletics, lame challenges, but public officials can quip about different inane subjects, tell a joke or do whatever they deem suitable for their brief time in front of the gathering. It did not matter to the majority of the people present, though we did have some fun making our own remarks about what was being heard.

Ongoing Political Talk

This highway project was an "adult-project" according to Tom Harkin, Senator from Iowa. After first talking about football, he said it was a "great day" for a project that took time to happen, indicating that it was accomplished through the use of earmarks. And it was a sterling "example of persistence" that will be a "major shot in the arm for development on both sides of the river."

Harkin was "proud and pleased to be among those that made the project possible." He mentioned several times earmarks passed in the halls of political Washington, D.C. that led to this project being possible. It was a way to bring back to the local area the money which had been paid by taxpayers.

Nearly silently, the words Pork!, Pork!, Pork! were subtly expressed by someone at the north side of the event.

Bird proponents at the ground-breaking ceremony. Justin Rink on the left, John Carlini in the middle and Shari Schwartz on the right.

About this point in the ceremony, the sign-wielding four were required to move eastward, based upon the directive from a greater force, apparently the two men in black suits which were the escort for the Nebraska governor. Apparently it was not proper that we were standing within 15-feet of the governor's black suburban. Our new spot was about 15-20 feet distance, which was actually better, as our spot was more towards the "front" of the crowd.

Further comments by the project proponents expressed the general theme of how wonderful the new highway would be...

"Bridge a symbol of communities working together" - letter from Congressman Lee Terry,

We are "planning for what businesses and industries we should look forward to" to promote development along the right-of-way - Larry Winum, president of Glenwood/Mills County Economic Development

It was readily apparent that the chambers of commerce, and the overall throng at the event were thrilled with the pending highway and bridge and how it would promote economic development from Glenwood to south of Bellevue.

This theme is consistent with the comments given in the project documents, which, especially on the Nebraska side of the river, express hopes for industrial and commercial development on 3,000 acres, apparently including the remnant wetlands east of La Platte.

They want to pave a bird paradise and put up a bunch of buildings and parking lots.

None of the commentators made any reference to the environmental impacts of the project. Also, during the time we were present, no one came up to our group to ask what we were expressing.

It is quite telling that none of the officials, politicians, or anyone else had the verve to approach us and ask our reason for being present. This is quite indicative of how these people could not accept a different view, and even be neighborly enough to express an interest in an alternative view. At least I mingled as allowed, and was able to convey the events of the day, with numerous other communications have been previously made to at least a couple of the people present, whom made sure to ignore our outstanding presence.

Shari Schwartz gets recognition for having the strongest arms, as she held her sign the highest, for the longest time. This is based upon her response from a nearby someone, asking about her focused effort. The response was that she was well-experienced in holding things up, and thus a great appreciation for that today, as well as her and John's focus on seeing the birds about the bottoms.

Law Enforcement Officers

Since the sheriffs, wanted to have a day with no trouble, the two of them flanked us on each end of our small group.

When the time to throw dirt approached, they were notified of an intent to go get some video of the politicians and capitalists when they grabbed shovels to provide the iconic scene of the day, and portray the start of the pending earthworks for the highway and bridge.

The sign being held was left behind, a commitment was made to keep quiet, and then an escort was provided, in case someone might want to bother me, was the reason the sheriff said.

Nothing happened. There were a bunch of politicians and capitalists acting like clones, pushing a shovel into the dirt, then holding it aloft for a few seconds, a time long enough for those wanting to get a picture to capture the image, and then to throw the dirt after a countdown. Then the main-stream media descended for interviews to capture more biased words about the project.

Our gang did get a bit of attention from one Omaha television station. The videographer had shot a short clip earlier during the ceremony, but we retained our place to ensure anyone could capture an opposing view. A television guy came by, and was given two documents - the editorial piece in Bellevue Leader on September 1st, and the testimonials on the birds of the La Platte Bottoms, as contributed by a few local bird enthusiasts - so he would have the details to understand the reason why we were standing in the sun of an autumn afternoon, with signs in opposition to the common viewpoint.

Once the primary part of the ceremony was finished, and it was time to depart, a view was expressed about going to get a cookie, and without any sign or any intent except to grab a snack, my spot moved on. Upon getting four cookies for me and others, a glance backward noted a sheriff was just a few feet away. It was another effort for them to ensure that no one in the crowd could cause a confrontation.

This is the first time to have ever - repeat ever - having been given a sheriff escort while getting some cookies. Wow!

A hearty hand-shake was expressly given to the three law enforcement officers, upon leaving the scene, a few moments later. This was an important gesture to expressly thank them and to convey a positive attitude.

Our presence did, however, convey a vivid alternate to the self-congratulatory comments generally expressed during the ceremony. Our signs of expressions were a bit of a prick to their balloon, but as the officials and politicians involved with the project had neglected to consider many essential aspects associated with this environmentally damaging project, we did succeed in expressing our view.

A hearty thanks to the three compatriots present and for the fine signs. We had the verve to express our views on a topic which was wrong in the manner in which it was dealt with, and this was the primary facet of the day.

It should be noted that there were no representatives present from any of the local conservation groups, including the Nebraska Wildlife Federation, Nebraska Sierra Club, Wachiska Audubon Society and Audubon Society of Omaha. This is despite repeated efforts to inform numerous birders of the event - notably via the NEBirds forum - of the time and place when the ground-breaking would occur, and specifically asking for their participation.

This is especially dismal, considering that in 2007, the metro-Omaha area Audubon society notably expressed concern about the highway project in their newsletter, yet, based upon documents reviewed, they did not make any effort to protect the wetlands east of La Platte.

Many birds will suffer from ruination of the La Platte Bottoms, but the demise of the place will not be forgotten, nor is the issue finished. It was a grand day to have a dedicated group express views in support of the birds which do not have a voice.

Officials throwing the first bits of dirt, that vividly mark the start of a project that will ruin, forever, wetlands at the La Platte Bottoms.

Review of Culvert Suitability at La Platte Bottoms Highway Project

The following are replies were received from the Nebraska Department of Roads and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in response to specific inquiries regarding culverts to be constructed in association with the pending construction at the La Platte Bottoms. As both are public agencies, their replies are given here, and presented verbatim, so that anyone else interested in the situations regarding this project can be informed of their response. A notice indicating that any reply would be posted online was also included with the email sent to the NDOR.

Nebraska Department of Roads Response

"The following is a list of culvert structures being constructed as part of the U.S. 34 Missouri River Bridge project that occur within the area that you have identified as the 'La Platte Bottoms.'

• "At project Station 174+24, a 36 in culvert pipe will be constructed to connect the delineated wetland area south of the new Highway 34 to the ag ground north of the new Highway 34 embankment. This culvert is listed as note no. 102 on the attached plan view sheets.
• "At Project Station 188+50, 2-24 inch culvert pipes will be constructed through the new Highway 34 embankment west of the new Harlan Lewis road intersection with Highway 34. This culvert is listed as note no. 103 on the attached plan view sheets.
• "At Project Station 204+16, a twin 6 ft. X 4 ft. concrete box culvert will be constructed through the new Highway 34 embankment connecting delineated wetlands occurring on both sides of the new Highway 34 embankment. This culvert is listed as note no. 104 on the attached plan view sheets.
• "At Project Station 210+55, a 6 ft. X 4 ft. concrete box culvert will be constructed through the new Highway 34 embankment connecting delineated wetlands occurring on both sides of the new Highway 34 embankment. This culvert is listed as note no. 105 on the attached plan view sheets.
• "At Project Station 3210+20 (new La Platte Road East alignment), a 6 ft. X 4 ft. concrete box culvert will be constructed through the new La Platte Road East embankment connecting delineated wetlands occurring on both sides of the new La Platte Road East embankment. This culvert is listed as note no. 108 on the attached plan view sheets.
• "At Project Station 3224+42 (new La Platte Road East alignment), 2-30 inch culvert pipes will be constructed through the new La Platte Road East embankment connecting delineated wetlands occurring on both sides of the new La Platte Road East embankment. This culvert is listed as note no. 109 on the attached plan view sheets.

"Beyond the culverts listed above, there are several other 24 inch culverts used for driveways and at roadway intersections that are placed to convey roadside ditch drainage flows. These culverts would aid in the overall surface water connection within the La Platte bottoms and provide some opportunity for semi-aquatic species to cross through the ancillary roadway embankments.

Fish and Wildlife Service Reply

"Thank you for your interest in wildlife crossings. In Nebraska, we provide general recommendations to facilitate the passage of fish and wildlife species for proposed structures that are to be placed in waterways. We advocate that structures are designed to retain the natural gradient, substrate, and width of stream courses. These recommendations are also included:

• "Incorporate rigorous soil erosion control practices both during and after the proposed construction, including temporary construction activities or any other alignment procedures in order to avoid impacts to fish and other aquatic organisms.
• "Do not alter or install culverts in any way that would result in reductions in current channel width.
• "Structure(s) should be designed appropriately for both terrestrial/aquatic passage as well as for the movement of water.
• "The placement of the structure(s) should be at appropriate elevations so as to not impede terrestrial/aquatic movement.

"Transportation impacts to landscape permeability and the need to assess impacts to and mitigate for wildlife connectivity has been gaining worldwide attention. Wildlife crossings have been incorporated into transportation planning and are designed to reduce wildlife mortality, improve habitat connectivity, and reduce vehicle collisions.

"During the review of the Bellevue Bridge Project, we were unaware of: safety concerns for any federally listed species or the traveling public, observed mass mortalities of any species, low population survival probability for specific species, or public interest/concerns for specific needs for wildlife at the La Platte Bottoms location—all items that would necessitate specific crossing mitigation for a targeted species. However, general mitigation approaches were taken to avoid, minimize, and compensate for permanent habitat impacts for the overall project impacts.

"After a review of proposed culverts for the La Platte Bottoms area provided by the Nebraska Department of Roads (NDOR) on July 28, 2010, we understand that these structures are not functioning as stream crossings, but are being placed to manage and route roadway run-off along, under, and away from the roadway (i.e. cross-drains). It appears from the July 28 culvert information, culvert pipes range in diameter size from 24 inches to 36 inches, and box culverts are sized at 6 feet x 4 feet, (some multi-chambered). For the location, it appears that the distance between structures (observing station numbering) ranges from approximately 5 to 140 feet (total structures = 10). Additionally, the cross-sections provided for the proposed culverts show that the structures will be constructed at or just below the existing ground elevation.

"Numerous species use culverts and concrete box structures, including mice, shrews, foxes, rabbits, river otters, opossums, raccoons, ground squirrels, skunks, coyotes, bobcats, great blue heron, long tailed weasel, and herps (Yanes, et. al. 1995; Brudin III, 2003; Dodd et. al., 2004; Ng et. al. 2004). For small mammals, pipe culverts ranging from approximately 12 to 48 inches in diameter have been found preferable (Clevenger et. al. 2001; McDonald & St Clair 2004; Ruediger & DiGiorgio 2007). Since most of these species also have small home ranges, metal or cement box culverts should be installed at intervals approximately 150-300 meters (Clevenger et. al., 2001). Inadequately sized crossings, insufficient number of crossings, and culvert design are primary causes of poor use by wildlife (Ruediger 2001; Clevenger et. al., 2001).

"We have determined that these proposed structures will be adequate based on our general recommendations and what has been observed in the literature. However, we will monitor the site in the future.

"Thanks again for your interest in this project.

"References

"Brudin III, C.O. 2003. Wildlife use of existing culverts and bridges in north central Pennsylvania. ICOET 2003.

"Yanes, M., J.M. Velasco, and F. Suárez. 1995. Permeability of roads and railways to vertebrates: the importance of culverts. Biological Conservation 71: 217-222.

"Dodd, C.K, W.J. Barichivich, and L.L. Smith. 2004. Effectiveness of a barrier wall and culverts in reducing wildlife mortality on a heavily traveled highway in Florida. Biological Conservation 118: 619-631.

"Ng, S.J., J.W. Dole, R.M. Sauvajot, S.P.D. Riley, and T.J. Valone. 2004. Use of highway undercrossings by wildlife in southern California. Biological Conservation 115:499-507.

"Clevenger, A.P., B. Chruszcz, and K. Gunson. 2001. Drainage culverts as habitat linkages and factors affecting passage by mammals. Journal of Applied Ecology 38: 1340-1349.

"McDonald, W., and C.C. St Clair. 2004. Elements that promote highway crossing structure use by small mammals in Banff National Park. Journal of Applied Ecology 41 82-93.

"Ruediger, B. and M. DiGiorgio. 2007. Safe passage: a user’s guide to developing effective highway crossings for carnivores and other wildlife. USDA Forest Service, Federal Highway Administration, Wilburforce and Southern Rockies Ecosystem Project. 19 pgs."

Considering Issues - Highway Construction at La Platte Bottoms

The following two emails were sent June 21, 2010, with copies also sent to the local press and bird discussion group. Images shown are from the various government documents associated with the Highway 34 - Bellevue Bridge project, developed by the Iowa Department of Transportation and Nebraska Department of Roads.

Authorization of Placing Fill in Wetlands

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is responsible for authorizing the filling of wetlands. According to a ACE officials, a permit was recently issued that provides authorization for impacting 4.97 acres. Yet according to this document online there will be more acres filled than that allowed by this particular permit. This discrepancy was the reason that the following email was sent to an ACE official.

"Since the attached document - dated April 2009 and issued by the Iowa Department of Transportation - indicates that there will be more than 4.87 acres of wetlands impacted by the Highway 34 Bridge and roadway, when will the Nebraska Department of Roads or Iowa Department of Transportation be applying for a permit to allow them to fill the additional acreage?

"According to the 404 regulations, as I understand them, only those acres for which a permit is issued could be filled. As the project proponents only have authorization for 4.87 acres through a completed permit process, yet something like 15 acres in Nebraska will be filled as the document indicates, the project cannot proceed as they are not authorized to fill more than 4.87 acres of wetlands.

"If any further fill would be needed, they would need to get a permit, and I request that the entity responsible for the project go through the entire application process for any fill required for the additional acreage. When this occurs, I would specifically ask that a public meeting be held in order that the people impacted by the destruction of wetlands at the site, be given an opportunity to voice their opinions."

The following graphic indicates the "impacted wetlands" as defined in 2007.

This is a graphic of the impacted wetlands as indicated in July 2009. Note the obvious increase in the extent of the designated wetlands to be filled.

It is also obvious that additional wetland acres will be affected, though they may not be directly filled, or impacted in government lingo. Their will be little value, if any for the bits of wetland between the constructed bridge ramps, and as any birds at these places could be readily hit by passing vehicles, there should not be any wetland habitat kept at these spots.

Railroad Track at Mitigation Site

This is a copy of an email sent to personnel at the Nebraska Department of Roads.

"I am writing to ask how a wetland mitigation site could be selected that is bounded on its entire north side by a railroad right-of-way, that is regularly and consistently used?

"Birds make essential use of any wetlands and having the ongoing disturbance of passing trains would have a dramatic impact on the value of the tract as an undisturbed place for migratory species including birds and other wildlife.

"Having train traffic would also make the place less than appealing for anyone that might want to come to the sight to observe visiting birds. The noise would make it very difficult if not impossible to listen for the calls or songs of birds which might be present. Just ask bird watchers at the Fontenelle Forest bottoms what they think of the train traffic.

"It seems obvious, from a birder's perspective, that this is not a suitable mitigation site, based on its potential value for wild birds.

Did the Fish and Wildlife Service provide any input into the selection of this mitigation site? It would seem that having a major railroad track present would have been an indication to select some more suitable site.

"The Nebraska Department of Roads needs to realize their extent of their mistake in selecting this site, and not move ahead with any effort to develop a mitigation site at Oreapolis. When will your agency deal with this error?"

The following is a figure which indicates the site of the proposed wetland mitigation.
Note the RR tracks on the north side, with a passing train along the entire stretch of the proposed mitigation site. Also note that the eastern portion of the area does not have vehicular access, which a primary value for the La Platte Bottoms, where people with mobility challenges can readily park along the road and watch the bird action in the marsh. The vehicular access at Oreapolis is limited to the western portion, and it is not known whether or not this is even a public access road.

Cedar Removal Along Nebraska Roadways Focus of State Agency

By James Ed. Ducey

An ongoing program by the Nebraska Department of Roads continues to remove invasive and unwanted cedar trees from the right-of-way along the state's roadways.

The project was initiated in the autumn of 2004, when the state agency "realized that the spread of eastern red cedar trees had picked-up during the ongoing drought," said Art Thompson, a highway landscape architect.

All district maintenance superintendents were notified to increase their emphasis on control of the red cedar statewide, and especially in the Sand Hills, according to a mid-November directive.

At the same time, "emphasis was also placed on removal of smaller cedar seedlings by mowing when small enough not to damage equipment. This would occur during scheduled mowing of the entire right-of-way which can occur every 3 to 5 years depending on the area of the state," Thompson said.

"Directions indicated to begin with removal of trees producing seed and then begin to thin the cedar trees to a spacing of no closer than 50 foot apart." All trees closer than 35 feet were to be removed.

"It would be my hope that by setting this example on public right-of-way, adjacent property owners will incorporate similar procedures on their property," Thompson said.

In some areas, all of the invasive trees are removed. Notable roadways where extensive cedar removal has been done include Highway 20 between Ainsworth and Valentine. Many trees are have been taken from the predominantly grass range westward from Valentine towards Merriman. In this section, only a few trees needed to be removed to eradicate the unwanted growth.

There is a large variety of ownership along the state's highways and scenic byways, including acreages, farms and ranches, towns and hamlets or various sizes, and national wildlife refuges. The Cowboy Trail corridor runs for more than 300 miles along Highway 20 in northern Nebraska.

The NDOR also has a "long standing program to remove potential large growing woody plant material for the lateral obstacle clearance area adjacent to all highways as a safety measure to maintain good visibility and a safe recovery area on the roadside. This includes cedar trees and is an ongoing procedure." Before any trees are cleared, they are checked to ensure no bird nests or eggs are disturbed.

"It is hoped that the long term benefit of this work will be to broaden the diversity of native species of animals and plants along the roadside as well as at mitigation sites and on adjacent private property," Thompson said. "The key is everyone needs to do their part."