Conservation Board receives approval of FEMA grant for trail

Jasper County Conservation Board director Keri Van Zante told her board members Thursday that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved a grant for repair of the Chichaqua Valley Bike Trail. A portion of the trail just west of Valeria was washed out during the flooding in 2010, and another 250-foot stretch was damaged near the Polk County line.

Van Zante said the Jasper County Conservation Board will enter into a 28E agreement with the Polk County Conservation Board for the renovation project, with Polk County taking the administrator role.

Cost estimates for the project are $428,000 on the Polk County side, and $383,000 for Jasper County. Jasper will pay 15 percent of their share, with FEMA picking up the remainder, as well as 85 percent of Polk’s share. Van Zante said she plans on applying for 75 percent of Jasper’s share to be delivered up front, so the county will be assured of having the funds on hand for the project.

Work is expected to begin this spring and should be completed this summer.