Two Iowa Hidden Wildlife Gems Could Get a Makeover — But There’s a Catch

If you love hiking, fishing, (like me) or even birdwatching, you may have visited Green Island or Princeton Wildlife Management Areas. These two nature hotspots in eastern Iowa offer excellent views and prime access to Iowa's great outdoors. But there’s a problem — they’ve been hit hard by floods... again, and again.

Now, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources is stepping in with a plan to restore and improve these areas as a whole. But since the project involves federal funding, it comes with environmental considerations — and they want to hear from the public.

What’s Exactly Happening?

According to the release, recent floods in 2019, 2023, and 2024 damaged essential features in these Wildlife Management Areas (WMA), making them harder to access and more vulnerable to future disasters. Boat launches, service roads, embankments, and culverts took a major hit, leaving the areas in rough shape. While you can still visit, the experience isn’t what it used to be. To fix this, the DNR is proposing repairs like:

• Stabilizing embankments with stronger materials
• Rebuilding boat launches and overlooks
• Upgrading culverts to improve drainage
• Using more flood-resistant materials to prevent future damage

More details on the Green Island WMA can be seen below, based on a previous Iowa DNR rehabilitation and enhancement project.

Are There Other Options?

One alternative would be relocating the WMAs out of the floodplain, but that’s really not realistic. These areas are naturally wetland-rich and provide valuable habitats for wildlife. Not only would moving them be costly, it would require a ton of permits and take away the natural benefits the locations currently provide.

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What Do YOU Think?

Because this project involves FEMA funding, officials are required to assess environmental, historical, and safety impacts. That means they need public input before moving forward. Whether you support the project or have concerns, now’s your chance to speak up!

You can send feedback by March 21st, 2025, via email to fema-r7-ehp-publiccomment@fema.dhs.gov. Just subject line the email: FEMA-4732 and FEMA-4796 Green Island & Princeton WMAs COMMENT. This is your opportunity to help shape the future of these important Iowa wildlife havens. As someone who loves the outdoors, I hope they stay beautiful and accessible for years to come!