Wetlands restoration continues on in District 5,
while Robertson finishes

An wetlands restoration that started in the Georgetown area of District 5 two decades ago continues strong today, while project architect Dan Robertson finished his journey Oct. 4.

Twenty years ago, the Idaho Department of Lands awarded District 5 with a reclamation award for a wetlands project west of Georgetown in Bear Lake County.

The district bought farmland near the Bear River in 1994 and was using it as a gravel source for highway projects. As gravel moved out, an environmentally rich wetlands slowly moved in. As of 1998, D5 had established more than five acres of wetlands at the site.

“Rather than leaving a hole there, the goal is to deplete all usable sand and gravel, and then establish a nice wildlife habitat," said Robertson at the time

River water was allowed to seep in, after which wetland plant species native to the area were planted around the shoreline. The end result is a self-sustaining wetland covering more than two-thirds of the 77-acre site. Eventually, ownership of all or a portion of the land may be transferred to another public entity.

Current D5 Environmental Planner Alissa Salmore said small quarry pits filled with water and ringed with wetland vegetation exist at the site today.
 
Robertson retired from D5 in August 2012 after 30 years with the district, and passed away Oct. 4 after a long battle with cancer. Here is a link to his obituary from the Idaho State Journal in Pocatello.

Rest in Peace, Dan.

Published 10-12-18