The Vigo County, Ind., Park and Recreation Board recently approved the purchase of 691.32 acres at a cost of $400,961. The land will be purchased under the U.S. Department of Agriculture's wetland reserve program. The land will serve as the Wabash River National Road Wetland Reservation.
Wetlands would help control flooding in the area, as well as improve water quality and control erosion.
The department also plans to spend $53,000 on an additional 27.342 acres outside the wetland reserve program, according to Superintendent Keith Ruble. Parts of the area will serve as observation overlooks and part as a trail.
The Heritage Trust, operated by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR), invested $220,000 in the purchases. Vigo County's Economic Development Income Tax brought $150,000 to the table, the Indiana DNR's fish and wildlife division donated $75,000 and a private donation brought in another $30,000 to support the land acquisitions. While agreements have not yet been finalized, the Park and Recreation Board anticipates receiving grants of $65,000 and $95,000 from two other groups, Ruble said.
The County Council must approve the county's property purchase, according to County Attorney Robert L. Wright. Ruble added that the department plans to purchase an additional 72.8 acres of land.
Source: The Tribune-Star
