An area of the North Skunk River immediately adjacent to the Lynnville exit on Interstate Highway 80 was once densely populated by trees, mainly cottonwood and sugar maple. But the farmer who owns the land recently had the land cleared, which has prompted some concerns over the manner in which it was done.

Legally, Sharp Farms — owned by Todd Sharp — was well within its rights as the property owner to clear the land. But when loggers cut down the trees, tons of debris was knocked into the river stream and never cleaned up.

Tree removal was done as far upstream as Kellogg with debris left in the stream bed all along the way.