As agreed to at the October 2020 O’Brien County Conservation Board (OCCB) meeting, the board continues to work toward finding ways to expand outdoor use of public lands beyond hunting. Horse trails are the activity currently searching for a place to be allowed in O’Brien County.
An area of land owned by O’Brien County and managed by OCCB staff is known as “McCormack Area.” The 19.50 acres is located deep into terrain that is difficult to farm. Much of the surrounding land is either privately owned or owned by the State of Iowa. The McCormack Area is located halfway between the intersection of Waterman Boulevard with Wilson Avenue and 470th Street, just east of Wilson Avenue, a level B Road.
Brian Schimmer, OCCB Director reporting to the board on February 10 recommended the spot and offered that it may be possible to add to the area in the future for horses to ride, speaking of working with private land-owners in the area.
Advocates for horse riding say the area, under 20 acres is not big enough to make the trip worthwhile. The area is more than a mile on gravel and some distance on level B while towing a trailer with at least one horse limits the location’s usefulness as a place to trail ride. Parking for vehicles of that size are also limiting in the attractiveness of the McCormack Area, as is, for trail riding.
Sherri Bootsma OCCB member also presented a document to the full board for their input and/or approval. The document, “Exemption Waiver Request for the Hannibal Waterman Wildlife Area” gives a brief background of the area of interest, specific request and proposed guidelines for an expanded use. The letter presented to OCCB on Wednesday evening says:
Exemption Waiver Request for the Hannibal Waterman Wildlife Area
On behalf of the residents of O’Brien County, and of those in neighboring areas, the O’Brien County Conservation Board, (from here on referred to as OCCB), is seeking an exemption or a redefined list of compatibility for the Hannibal Waterman Wildlife Area. Over the course of the last few months, the conservation board has been told repeatedly that the Habitat Stamp Grant Fund committee determines compatibility on a case by case basis, taking multiple factors into consideration. Number 3 of the original grant from 1989 states, “The public shall have access to the property upo9n such conditions as the Local Entity and the Department shall mutually agree upon.
In the 32 years since the grant was awarded many changes have occurred near the Waterman WLA, the most notable is the construction of the Prairie Heritage Center. In the years since its construction, visitors and programming as increased in the area, it truly has become a must see area in the county. While OCCB manages 942 acres, 267 make up campgrounds leaving only small parcels with the exception of the land around the Prairie Heritage Center. Opening up the Waterman WLA to activities like horseback riding, handicap trails and picnicking will only enhance the opportunities for residents. By expanding the list of compatible activities the OCCB will be able to broaden opportunity for the observation of wildlife within its natural habitat and landscape.
The OCCB anticipates horseback riding will not disturb wildlife more than the bird watching, hiking, and jogging that is already permitted. Without groomed trails, the damage to habitat would be minimal to immeasurable. This being in line with determinations made by the US Fish and Wildlife Service in regards to specific properties federally owned.
The mission of OCCB is to promote and preserve the health and general welfare of the people, to encourage the orderly development and conservation of natural resources, and to cultivate good citizenship by providing adequate programs of public population. With the approved exemption, O’Brien Count residents will be better served, have increased opportunities to experience wildlife in its natural habitat, become more involved in programming, and hopefully become advocates for outdoor recreation and preservation.

Proposed guidelines:

• Open to horseback riding the day after the last turkey season ending to the day before the start of the youth deer season.
• Riding permitted from sunrise to a sunset
• No riding if it has rained in the last 24 hours, much (sic) check the website for potential trail closures
• No cleaning out horse trailers on county property
• No trash shall be left in the wildlife area
• Rider registration or check in to accurately track usage.
• Will be reviewed on an annual basis for the first 5 years.
  If you have further questions or comments please feel free to O’Brien County Conservation Board. (sic) Thank you for your consideration.
  At press time Bootsma says the request has not been submitted and one person offered any ideas.
  During the discussion Schimmer acknowledged that the current management of that particular ground, the mowing and the trails may need to change.
  The board also heard that the 100% refunds that were given for cabin reservations in 2020 due to COVID-19 came from funds provided by the County, presumably federal assistance funds. It’s not known at this time if those same funds will be available in the current season. The board voted to return to their normal refund policy on cabins and bins rentals: A 50% refund for the cancelled dates if they get rebooked.
  OCCB also approved moving forward with the Scout Island rip rap project at Mill Creek Lake. Schimmer reported that an engineer offered a few ideas and methods that could help get tractors across the bridge to put the concrete in place for erosion protection.
  The board adjourned before Dan Friedrichsen, acting as an O’Brien County Supervisors was able to voice his question concerning the use and number of cell phones used by O’Brien County Conservation employees.