The public comment period for the proposed change in a controversial rule dealing with the amount of topsoil developers are required to return to a construction site will end Wednesday. The change would do away with requiring four inches or more of topsoil to be replaced instead require the topsoil to be replace unless that was “infeasible.” The Iowa Department of Natural Resources held its last public hearing on the issue Friday in Des Moines. Chip Classon of Jerry’s Homes spoke out in favor of the change.
He says the four-inch requirement that was instituted in 2013 has added thousands of dollars to the cost of building a home.
Susan Heathcoat spoke on behalf of the Iowa Environmental Council.
Heathcoat says it is better to have the cost of putting the topsoil back on the site paid now instead of later.
The public hearing was the third and final one on the issue. A spokesman with the D-N-R says all the comments will be used in the Environment Protection Commission’s decision on the change.
