Newport Prairie at risk

The Newport Prairie in Vermillion County is at risk for elimination to become soybean fields or an industrial park. Here

is a letter explaining the situation:

From: Phillip Cox <philwcox@gmail.com>
Subject: SAVE THE LARGEST CONTIGUOUS BLACK SOIL PRAIRIE IN INDIANA TODAY

Date: Sunday, November 15, 2009, 4:22 PM

The Newport Chemical Depot Reuse Authority is still accepting comments for
the Reuse of the 7,000 acre US Army Newport Chemical Depot in Vermillion
County.

There is a 336 acre tallgrass prairie (with approximately 40 species of
forbs & grasses) that is according to the Division of Nature Preserves, "by far
the largest contiguous black soil prairie in Indiana". Wild pheasants and bobcat
(documented last Sunday), quail, Virginia rail, great egrets, grassland bird
species, turkeys, waterfowl thrive in the mosaic of prairie and adjacent
wetlands on the southwest corner of the Depot. The biodiversity here is
incredible.

Currently the DRAFT Reuse Plan makes no provisions for preserving the prairie,
instead it leaves open the possibility of using it for "other agricultural
production" (pg. 87 of the Draft Plan) or for "business and technology". There
are already 3,375 acres designated for "business and technology" and 1,250
acres designated for "agricultural and forestry" in the DRAFT Reuse Plan. Currently there is already 3,000 acres of corn/soybeans on the Depot.

You can help, send your comments in to comments@necdra.com right now while there is still time!!! Comments are currently being accepted until the Public Hearing. Don't
think that someone else will comment for you. Comments can be short or long.

The Public Hearing is at 6:30 on Thursday November 19 at the Clinton Municipal
Building, 259 Vine St. Clinton, Indiana. Everyone is invited.

If you have any questions you may contact me at philwcox@gmail.com or
765/548-4007 or see www.necdra.com .

Thanks,

Phil Cox

INPAWS member and
President
Wabash Valley Audubon Society

For a photo of the Newport Chemical Depot Prairie go to
www.wabashvalleyaudubon.org