Gubernatorial candidate tours karst terrain, amid pipeline concerns

A stop in rural Floyd County turned into a hands-on geology lesson this week as Iowa

Republican gubernatorial candidate Brad Sherman toured karst terrain near Rudd, meeting with

landowners concerned about the proposed carbon dioxide pipeline route and potential wind

energy development in the area.

The visit focused on how unstable underground conditions could affect construction, water

quality and land stability. Sherman met with local residents near Rudd and Rockford to view

sinkholes, springs and other karst features along what is believed to be part of the proposed

pipeline’s path.

Earlier in the day, Sherman met with landowners Kathy Carter and Jim Jorgensen in the

Rockford area to discuss the proposed route and to view a spring located along the project’s

anticipated path. They began east of Rockford in Ulster Township and traveled west to the

county line.

The group later reconvened at the Jorgensen farm northeast of Rudd, where Sherman and his

wife, Carole, joined several residents and karst specialist Derek Straube for a boots-on-the-

ground look at the terrain. Also attending were landowner Jayden Jorgensen and 

landowner Doug Groshen.

Karst topography is characterized by soluble rock, underground drainage, sinkholes and rapidly

changing subsurface conditions. In parts of Floyd County, these features can appear suddenly.

During the tour, the group observed a new sinkhole that had formed since November.

“The biggest takeaway was the new hole that wasn’t there just a few months ago,” Jorgensen

said. “It’s shocking how quickly they can appear.”

Straube explained the area’s geology and the potential risks of construction on karst terrain.

Landowners shared concerns about the proximity of the proposed pipeline and the possibility of

wind turbine development in areas with unstable underground formations. 

Sherman commented on the day,” Spending the day in Floyd County provided a real-life look at why folks are concerned about their property and the future of their community. We saw the proximity of the proposed CO2 pipeline and got a clear sense of the danger it poses. We got an up close look at the sinkholes in the karst geography and a good understanding of why wind turbines raise serious concerns in the region. Thank you to Kathy, Jim, Derek, Jayden, and Doug for taking the time to show Carole and me around. It was one of the best days yet in our campaign for Governor.  Property rights and taking care of rural Iowa is a top priority.”

Carole Sherman said it was important to see the proposed route firsthand.

“This private company project should not be allowed to use eminent domain to come through on

people’s property,” she said. “It was good to see firsthand how close it would be to people’s

homes, the town, school and waterways. We also saw the karst and sinkholes, which would

cause great instability with the pipeline and wind turbines trying to come into the area.”

“They were shocked and amazed,” Jorgensen said of the Shermans. “There were strong

concerns about water health and the safety of citizens.”

Carter said the tour reshaped her understanding of the county’s geography.

“Being a native of Floyd County and now a senior citizen, I thought I knew a lot about our

county’s geography,” she said. “I always thought ‘karst’ was in far northeast Iowa, around

Decorah and Waukon. After Friday’s tour of numerous sinkholes, I’ve learned how wrong I was.”