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Washington Evening Journal
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Washington, IA 52353
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Iowa County grants easement for timber harvest
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
MARENGO — Iowa County supervisors granted a temporary easement over county property last week for a company harvesting timber in Iowa County.
Iowa County Attorney Tim McMeen presented the appropriate legal documents to supervisors Jan. 10 which will create a temporary easement over property owned by Iowa County, Keokuk County and Washington County in southern Iowa County.
Hammes Bros. Sawmill plans to remove timber from property owned by Michael Marlo Matthes to the east, north and northeast of the Iowa, Keokuk and Washington County property, said McMeen. Hammes will need to access some of the county land to get the timber to the road, he said.
The county land, parcels 043103030 and 043103042, are located in the southwest quarter and the southeast quarter of the southwest quarter of section 31, township 78 range 9.
The county granted Hammes access to cross only the areas of those parcels outlined on a map in the agreement.
The easement will expire March 15 of 2025.
Hammes will pay for all damages done to the land during the timber removal process, according to the agreement.
McMeen said he checked into the company and found it in good standing. He required that the company’s president, Leo JH. Hammes, sign the agreement rather than letting the foreman sign it.
The company might not finish the job this year, said McMeen, but he doesn’t want the easement granted for a longer time because the county will want to control when the company accesses the land to minimize the damage, he said.
