Ferryboat study moves forward

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By Connie Street | Friday, January 26, 2007 2:12 AM CST | () comments

WAPELLO, Iowa — Ten Louisa County residents joined a county official this week to oppose a proposed ferryboat project that would provide river transportation between Louisa County and New Boston, Ill.

Nonetheless, the Louisa County Board of Supervisors voted 2-1 to move ahead with a feasibility study.

After the meeting, the residents urged all who oppose the ferry to contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or to sign petitions against the proposal. The Corps will have final say on whether a ferry becomes reality.

The board discussed a professional services agreement for a ferryboat service study between Illowa Ferryboat and Development Inc., which is spearheading the ferry effort, and Stanley Consultants. Louisa County is designated as the conduit for federal and state monies promised for the project. It has been more than 10 years since a grassroots effort began to re-establish a ferry service that closed in 1973.

During Tuesday’s meeting, all 10 visitors raised their hands when asked if they were against the ferry.

Also attending was Larry McHenry of New Boston, Ill., secretary of the nonprofit Illowa Ferryboat and Development Inc.

Pam Butler of Morning Sun accused the board of wasting time on something that is “ludicrous.”

“There are several projects in this county that merit your attention, such as a four-lane highway and rural water,” Butler said. “You should get busy on the things that will matter.”

Board chairman Ken Purdy responded that the county should look at doing all the projects.

“A big point of information that hasn’t been brought to the public’s attention is that there would be a projected $3.8 million a year in indirect spending in the area by the users of the ferryboat,” Purdy said. “This is a huge economic impact.“

Supervisor Dave Wilson sided with the opponents by voting against the study and made an unsuccessful motion to rescind approval of all ferryboat agreements previously signed by the board. He cited a 2003 study that a for-profit operation would not be feasible unless greatly subsidized. He doesn’t want local tax dollars used for subsidizing a ferry and also objected to the choice of Stanley Consultants for conducting the new study since it was a partner in the 2003 study.

Purdy said if the new study determines the ferryboat project is not financially feasible, then the project would end.

He noted that $336, 237 is earmarked for the study — $236,320 from federal, $60,000 from Iowa and $40,000 from Illinois. The study would cost $329,080.

“That means people at the state and federal level believe the project has enough merit that they have funded the study. Any time we can get federal and state dollars to help us, I’ll not turn it down,” Purdy said.

The board did vote unanimously that no property tax money would be used for development or operation of a ferry project.

Connie Street can be contacted at (319) 527-8164 or ckcasey@louisacomm.net.