Jason Schoonover, staff writer

Some local officials worry a snow removal rule drafted by the Cedar River Watershed District could end up straining the wallets of cities and counties.

The Mower County Board of Commissioners submitted a letter to the CRWD Board of Managers about a recently completed draft of the district’s rules.

The letter suggested some rules be simplified or clarified before they are enacted.

One rule, states: “Snow storage, storage piles, or other flood plain impacts shall be prohibited in the flood plain.”

This one sentence has city and county officials worried they’ll be required to haul snow outside of the flood plain, which could create significant costs.

“It would become a big financial burden,” Commissioner Mike Ankeny said.

Currently, the city and county both pile snow near waterways. Such a rule could require crews to truck snow out of town to farm sites.

Businesses and homeowners could potentially be affected, too.

Ankeny noted that filtration methods, like grasses, fencing and rocks are currently used to reduce the amount of sediment and contaminants entering waterways.

While not perfect options, Ankeny described them as the best alternative to skyrocketing costs.

CRWD officials are seeking feedback about the rules from local government agencies and the public. Any feedback will be taken into account as the rules are adjusted and finished. A public hearing is tentatively scheduled on March 16.

Ankeny noted the rules can be changed once they are enacted.

The letter urged the CRWD board of managers to provide simplified handouts for everyday applicants to understand and use.

Mostly, the letter urged CRWD officials to clarify vague language within the rules. Likewise, the letter cautioned the board of managers to make sure none of the rules address issues already managed by other governmental agencies.

“It’s been a long, ongoing process,” said Ankeny, who has served on the rules committee.

A draft of the CRWD rules can be found at www.cedarriverwd.org.