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Frequently Asked Questions
The facility needs to be at the resource. What’s a Mississippi River Eco Tourism Center without the Mississippi River? Architectural plans have taken flooding into account. The entire building will be elevated above the 500-year flood level. During an extraordinary flood the access road may be temporarily closed but the facility will not be damaged.
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How will conservation/ecology education be enhanced by this facility?
The eco center will benefit the CCCB Environmental Education Program by providing a “home base” for the 100+ events that take place there every year – events for groups such as schools, scouts, church youth, nursing homes, mentally challenged, and private groups. Public events such as the Blue Heron Eco Cruises and “Saturday in the Park” will then have a “home.” The aquarium and nature center will give an up-close look at the river ecosystem; the theater in the education room will allow naturalists to introduce complicated concepts using video and computer graphics. The large inside space will allow field trips to go forward during inclement weather. On days with intermittent rain, naturalists can fall back on inside activities instead of sending the students back to school. When severe thunderstorms come up quickly, it is very important to get the children out of the woods and under safe cover. The eco center will also extend the “education” season by facilitating groups during the winter!
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Why aren’t you putting this facility on the main channel or in Clinton?
The main channel along Clinton is rip-rapped and does not offer the diversity of species that are abundant in the backwater areas. The backwaters of the Mississippi are the source of food for wildlife, and offer protection to the species that inhabit this area. The backwater also offers a greater diversity of habitat types.
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What about tax dollars; I don’t want my taxes increased as a result of this facility?
The project will be funded with private donations. Rock Creek’s revenues make this park almost self-sufficient and include camping fees, marina fees, and camp store revenues. However, some tax dollars will be used simply because Clinton County Conservation employees are county employees and the Conservation Board is funded by the County Board of Supervisors.
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Rock Creek’s land is owned by the Army Corps of Engineers. Will that arrangement continue?
Currently, the conservation board has a 50-year lease on the land. This was increased from a 25-year lease . There are still 38 years to run on the current lease. There has never been an objection by the Army Corps of Engineers to the lease renewal. The park itself is designated as public access to the Upper Mississippi Wildlife Refuge.
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Who will own the eco tourism center?
Clinton County will own it, under management of the Clinton County Conservation Board (CCCB).
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How will the Mississippi River Eco Tourism Center be heated and cooled?
The building will be heated and cooled by a geo-thermal heat system. This system is very low-cost to maintain; well water used will be sent to the river; the small volume of water needed for this system will not be an issue. Energy efficient lighting will also be used.
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How will the conservation board handle the parking problems this facility could generate?
Currently, there are parking places near the camp store for vehicles with boat trailers. These spots will still be provided and will be better designated. Several buildings will be razed and parking for approximately 70 to 80 vehicles is planned.
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Who will be allowed to use the banquet room? Can they bring their own beer/alcohol?
Anyone who fills out the usage application form and pays the rental fee will be considered as a potential renter by the CCCB. The rental fee will be comparable to that charged by other local facilities with banquet rooms. Campers and picnickers using park shelters can bring canned beer and alcohol into the park now; that policy will not change. The eco tourism center will not have any alcoholic beverages for sale. As long as patrons honor current Iowa laws, there should not be an issue.
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How will the construction of the eco tourism center be funded?
The Mississippi River Eco Tourism Center is a “quality of life” project that enriches the entire area. Therefore, it was determined to be a project that should be supported with private (business and individual) investment instead of a tax supported project. To that end, a capital campaign has been undertaken to approach businesses and individuals to secure their investment in this worthwhile endeavor that will make Rock Creek and Clinton County a destination spot.