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NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

Environmental/Natural Resource Protection

The preservation of North Liberty's natural amenities as a valued resource is a very important issue identified by community representatives. Those areas of significant importance identified in the Tactics as well as the Inventory reports are the lakes/rivers, steep slopes, and vegetation found within North Liberty's extra territorial jurisdiction.


Lakes/Rivers

A central feature within the North Liberty area is the Iowa River, and the reservoirs which have been created along the river. Coralville Lake and Lake McBride were created in part to control flooding downstream on the Iowa River. Secondary benefits of the lakes include recreation, wildlife habitat, and improved water quality. These amenities have served to increase urban development in the area and enhance North Liberty's quality of life. As such, protection of these resources is an important goal.


Steep Slopes

The Iowa River corridor in the regional surrounding North Liberty contains a number of areas where slopes exceed 12 percent. Development in these areas is difficult and must be sensitive to the preservation of the natural vegetation and stabilization of slopes to prevent erosion.

In light of the fact that many of these steep slopes are situated within the extra territorial jurisdiction of the City, North Liberty must consider the issues associated with such areas, despite lacking significant slopes within the City limits.


Vegetation

With the exception of the hilly areas within the Iowa River and Muddy Creek corridor, the North Liberty area is void of significant tree massings. Wooded and natural areas provide a unique character and a highly desirable amenity for both residential and recreational development. Preservation of existing wooded areas, as well as promotion of tree planting programs and requirements are important issues identified by community representatives, as well as the public in the community survey.


Prime Farmlands

Agriculture continues to be an important land use throughout the region. Preventing premature elimination or disruption of prime farmlands by poor management of urban growth will be an important part of the Comprehensive Plan.


Soil Suitability for Urban Development

A variety of soil types and suitability levels exist in the North Liberty area. There is a narrow band of soils with only slight limitations located east of North Liberty. The soils with moderate limitations are most prevalent in the region, however, their limitations are caused by two different factors. The moderate soils along the river corridor have a number of areas with limitations primarily due to steep slopes. The soils encompassing the City of North Liberty also have moderate limitations, but these limitations are primarily due to sub-soil wetness, and the effects this has on dwellings with basements. The area of severe limitations is located northwest of North Liberty and these limitations are caused by flooding and soil wetness.

Careful consideration must be given to the limiting soil factors prior to developing an area. As current development patterns illustrate, many limitations can be overcome, however, recognition of these limitations is necessary in order to ensure adequate construction measures are being required.


Storm Water Management

The Muddy Creek drainageway is utilized to accommodate storm water runoff from the City's urban development. As development has increased within the City, the number and severity of high water situations along this drainageway has also increased. Additionally, some drainage problems exist within the older portions of the community as a result of surface water runoff and sump pump discharge. Specific attention must be given to storm water retention practices and the regulation of increased discharge within the Comprehensive Plan.


Industrial and Agricultural Pollution

No particular problems have been identified in North Liberty, however, the avoidance of industrial uses which generate pollution as well as agricultural runoff is important to the community representatives of North Liberty.

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