Sustainable Environment includes 11 recommendations across 5 sub-categories: Clean Water, Clean air + Energy, Neighborhoods, Land Conservation, and Eco Education. The chart below highlights the status of the 11 recommendations. Scroll down to the Recommendation Tracker for details. Status information reflects the community's work toward each recommendation.

Recommendation Highlight - Continue the efforts of the Bee Branch Watershed Flood Mitigation Project to mitigate health and environmental hazards in Washington, Point, and North End neighborhoods. #B1a

Click the image to learn about progress on the Bee Branch.

- Data will be updated bi-annually to align with Council Reports -

Recommendation tracker

Sustainable Environment: 11 recommendations

Sustainable Environment

• At Risk  • Off Track  On Track  • Achieved

Clean Water

RECOMMENDATIONS - AT A GLANCE

Complete and monitor Bee Branch Watershed Flood Mitigation - 2.1.1
Implement the Catfish Creek Watershed Management Plan  - 2.1.2


RECOMMENDATIONS - DETAILS & STATUS

Continue the efforts of the Bee Branch Watershed Flood Mitigation Project to mitigate health and environmental hazards in Washington, Point, and North End neighborhoods.   2.1.1 - Coordinator: Deron Muehring, dmuehrin@cityofdubuque.org

► Status: On Track

  • Lower and Upper Branches of Bee Branch Creek Complete. See the December 2020 Update newsletter.
  • Connection of two branches was completed in 2021.
  • National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium (NMRMA) Mussel Drop in 2020 to improve health of the creek.
  • Multicultural Family Center's Summer Teen Employment Program (STEP) Program engaging youth in stewardship days, in partnership with the City and NRMRA.
  • City Council Priority Alignment 2021-2023:
    • Bee Branch Watershed Project: Next Steps

 

Continue to implement the Catfish Creek Watershed Management Plan to protect creeks, sensitive ecological habitats, and promote conservation-minded development.   2.1.2 - Coordinator: Eric Schmechel, eric.schmechel@dubuquecounty.us

► Status: On Track

  • Dubuque County, the City of Dubuque, and the Dubuque County Soil & Water Conservation district, collaborating as Dubuque County Watersheds, have invested nearly $1 million through several programs and partnerships to incentivize local landowners to implement practices reducing soil runoff. In the first year, 35 farms covering 3,447 acres participated.
  • In September of 2020, the City of Dubuque, Dubuque County, and the Dubuque Soil and Water Conservation District entered into a 28e agreement which runs through June 2027 to create a County-wide watershed program that intended to address both urban and agricultural land use activities. This program staffs three full time employees with the intent to build relationships with farmers throughout Dubuque County.  This agreement also provides for the manner in which parties shall cooperate with one another to successfully implement and fund water quality and quantity projects throughout Dubuque County, including a localized performance-based conservation program.
  • Plan implementation continues and has evolved to include a Nutrient Reduction Program, a partnership of the City, County (under the Soil & Water Conservation District) and Iowa Department of Natural Resources. It serves as the first of its kind in Iowa and a model for other communities.
  • In August 2020, a collaboration between Dubuque County, the City of Dubuque and Dubuque Soil and Water Conservation District hosted a Farmer Field Day. Check out the videos created about the Nutrient Reduction Program:
  • In 2022, the Farmer Field Day morphed into a Farm Brew Social, which plans to feature a day of educational talks from regenerative agriculture experts and a local brewery owner, a free lunch, a tour of a malthouse and farm fields, live music, beer and food trucks. Organizers said they hope the event helps broaden the reach of local water quality efforts. (August 2022)
  • The City of Dubuque was awarded an Iowa Partners for Conservation grant and has contracted with two conservation agronomists to help write conservation plans for landowners.
  • Five Watershed Field days have been completed during 2021 and 2022. Several additional field days are being planned.
  • A Dubuque County water quality monitoring plan has been completed and water quality monitoring is being done every month.
  • For more information, see the Dubuque County Watershed website.
  • Get the downstream view with the Mississippi River Watershed Report Cards:
  • City Council Priority Alignment 2021-2023:
      • Sewer System Infrastructure Upgrade (including Catfish Creek Sanitary Sewer System)
Clean Air + Energy
Neighborhoods
Land Conservation
Eco-Education