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| Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) |
The FAQ/NEWS area is designed to let you know about events, activities and issues that are taking place with in Jackson
County Conservation department. Frequently asked questions (FAQ) are designed to help you find the proper agency,
group, or organization to help you obtain the information you need. The following questions are those that we receive, but
are not our area of expertise, jurisdiction or regulation.
County Conservation department. Frequently asked questions (FAQ) are designed to help you find the proper agency,
group, or organization to help you obtain the information you need. The following questions are those that we receive, but
are not our area of expertise, jurisdiction or regulation.
Q: How do I get to the Maquoketa Caves State Park?
A: From Maquoketa take HWY 61 North and the first road to the left Caves Road or County Road 428 west.
Follow that along until you see the Maquoketa Caves Park sign.
Q: Can I reserve a campsite in the campground?
A: No, campsites are first come first serve. Reservations are not made for any campsite.
Q: Is there an admission fee for the Hurstville Interpretive Center?
A: No, Hurstville Interpretive Center is free of charge.
Q: I believe someone is dumping toxic chemicals into a stream near my home. Who Do I call?
A: The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has an environmental compliance office in Manchester. They can be reached
at (563)927-2640.
Q: What are the camping fees in the campgrounds?
A: Paved sites w/electric $18
Gravel sites w/electric $14
Firewood $4/bundle
Q: What campgrounds are near Bellevue, Iowa
A: Spruce Creek Park 30711, 396th Ave, Bellevue
Pleasant Creek, 3 miles South of Bellevue off Hwy 52
Dubuque Yacht Basin & RV Park, HWY 151 and 61, 1630 E. 16th Street, 563-556-7708
Dubuque Yacht Basin
Bellevue State Park, 2-1/2 miles South of Bellevue, US 52, 563-872-4019
Q: I want to build a farm pond or have a pond and want to have it stocked. Who do I call?
A: The Iowa Department of Natural Resources Manchester Fish Hatchery has personnel who can give you information on
farm pond construction and stocking. They can be reached at (563)927-2640.
Q: What can I do to improve a forest on my property? How can I tell if I have trees that should be harvested?
A: The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has a district forester to assist landowners with improving their timber
resources and helping identify trees that can be sold. The phone number is (563)245-1891. Or you could contact private
sector, Kevin Oetken, Woodland Forestry Consulting at (563) 673-2146.
Q: What were the Hurstville Lime Kilns used for?
A: Limestone rock was quarried from behind the kilns. The blocks of lime were loaded into carts and pulled by mules along a
narrow track that led up and behind the kilns. The blocks of lime were then fed into the kilns where they reached
temperatures of 750 to 900 degrees C was needed to process the lime. The processed lime was pulled from the bottom of
the draw kilns in a white powder.
Q: What is the Hurstville Interpretive Center?
A: The Hurstville Interpretive Center is designed for multiple uses, with an
emphasis on environmental education and resource protection.
Q: What are the hunting and fishing seasons for this year?
A: The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is responsible for establishing hunting, fishing and trapping seasons
as well as wildlife-related law enforcement. The DNR officer for Jackson County can be reached at his cellular number
563-543-5259. The TIP (Turn in Poachers) hotline is 1-800-532-2020.
Fishing and hunting information may be found at: http://www.iowadnr.gov/law/index.html
A: From Maquoketa take HWY 61 North and the first road to the left Caves Road or County Road 428 west.
Follow that along until you see the Maquoketa Caves Park sign.
Q: Can I reserve a campsite in the campground?
A: No, campsites are first come first serve. Reservations are not made for any campsite.
Q: Is there an admission fee for the Hurstville Interpretive Center?
A: No, Hurstville Interpretive Center is free of charge.
Q: I believe someone is dumping toxic chemicals into a stream near my home. Who Do I call?
A: The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has an environmental compliance office in Manchester. They can be reached
at (563)927-2640.
Q: What are the camping fees in the campgrounds?
A: Paved sites w/electric $18
Gravel sites w/electric $14
Firewood $4/bundle
Q: What campgrounds are near Bellevue, Iowa
A: Spruce Creek Park 30711, 396th Ave, Bellevue
Pleasant Creek, 3 miles South of Bellevue off Hwy 52
Dubuque Yacht Basin & RV Park, HWY 151 and 61, 1630 E. 16th Street, 563-556-7708
Dubuque Yacht Basin
Bellevue State Park, 2-1/2 miles South of Bellevue, US 52, 563-872-4019
Q: I want to build a farm pond or have a pond and want to have it stocked. Who do I call?
A: The Iowa Department of Natural Resources Manchester Fish Hatchery has personnel who can give you information on
farm pond construction and stocking. They can be reached at (563)927-2640.
Q: What can I do to improve a forest on my property? How can I tell if I have trees that should be harvested?
A: The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has a district forester to assist landowners with improving their timber
resources and helping identify trees that can be sold. The phone number is (563)245-1891. Or you could contact private
sector, Kevin Oetken, Woodland Forestry Consulting at (563) 673-2146.
Q: What were the Hurstville Lime Kilns used for?
A: Limestone rock was quarried from behind the kilns. The blocks of lime were loaded into carts and pulled by mules along a
narrow track that led up and behind the kilns. The blocks of lime were then fed into the kilns where they reached
temperatures of 750 to 900 degrees C was needed to process the lime. The processed lime was pulled from the bottom of
the draw kilns in a white powder.
Q: What is the Hurstville Interpretive Center?
A: The Hurstville Interpretive Center is designed for multiple uses, with an
emphasis on environmental education and resource protection.
Q: What are the hunting and fishing seasons for this year?
A: The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is responsible for establishing hunting, fishing and trapping seasons
as well as wildlife-related law enforcement. The DNR officer for Jackson County can be reached at his cellular number
563-543-5259. The TIP (Turn in Poachers) hotline is 1-800-532-2020.
Fishing and hunting information may be found at: http://www.iowadnr.gov/law/index.html
Q: Who offers the Hunter Safety Course?
A: The hunter safety course is required for anyone born after January 1, 1967, in order to obtain a hunting licence. Anyone
age 11 and over may enroll in the course, but certification does not become valid until the person's 12th birthday if they are
11. For statewide information on class dates and locations, you can call (515)2821-5918. Or look online at:
http://www.iowadnr.com/law/hunter/index.html
In Jackson County, classes are offered by various wildlife groups.
Q: I am planning a trip to Jackson County. How can I get information on places to stay and other area
attractions?
A: We have information about camping, picnic, and recreation facilities in the county and would be happy to send you that
information. The Bellevue Chamber of Commerce 1-800-653-2211, Iowa Welcome Center 1-800-798-8844, and the
Maquoketa Chamber of Commerce (563)652-4602 can provide you with information on hotels, restaurants, and other
attractions on the area.
www.traveliowa.com is also another great site to visit.
Q: How can I order tree seedlings and shrubs for wildlife plantings?
A: In addition to local nurseries, the State operates a nursery in Ames. Orders are taken every year during the winter for
spring delivery. To order, call: (800)865-2477 or visit their website Iowa DNR State Forest Nursery. The local NRCS District
also sometimes offers plants for wildlife and windbreak plantings. Their number is (563)652-2337 ext: 191. The Hurstville
Interpretive Center serves as a pick-up point for trees ordered from Ames. An additional source for seedlings is Cascade
Forestry Service, 21995 Fillmore Rd., Cascade, IA 52033, (563)852-3042, or www.cascadeforestry.com
Q: I am having problems with my trees/outdoor plants dying. Who can I call to find out what to do?
A: The County Extension Service office has personnel and contact people to help landowners with questions on identifying
diseases in plants and insects that may bug you. They can also work with you to identify soil types. The County Extension
and 4-H office number is (563)652-4923 and is located in the basement of the Jackson County Courthouse.
Q: I lost my hunting licence or Hunter Safety Certificate. Who do I call?
A: For special licences, such as deer licences, contact your County DNR officer. (563)543-5259 For Hunter Safety
Certificates, contact your instructor and the DNR Des Moines office, licencing bureau. (515)281-7148. Or visit the Iowa DNR
website.
Q: How do I control erosion on my property? Or How do I get information on the CRP program?
A: The Natural Resources Conservation Service, which is located in Maquoketa, has staff with expertise in various soil and
erosion topics. Their number in Jackson County is (563)652-2337 ext: 191. The ASCS office number is (563)652-3237 ext:
202.
A: The hunter safety course is required for anyone born after January 1, 1967, in order to obtain a hunting licence. Anyone
age 11 and over may enroll in the course, but certification does not become valid until the person's 12th birthday if they are
11. For statewide information on class dates and locations, you can call (515)2821-5918. Or look online at:
http://www.iowadnr.com/law/hunter/index.html
In Jackson County, classes are offered by various wildlife groups.
Q: I am planning a trip to Jackson County. How can I get information on places to stay and other area
attractions?
A: We have information about camping, picnic, and recreation facilities in the county and would be happy to send you that
information. The Bellevue Chamber of Commerce 1-800-653-2211, Iowa Welcome Center 1-800-798-8844, and the
Maquoketa Chamber of Commerce (563)652-4602 can provide you with information on hotels, restaurants, and other
attractions on the area.
www.traveliowa.com is also another great site to visit.
Q: How can I order tree seedlings and shrubs for wildlife plantings?
A: In addition to local nurseries, the State operates a nursery in Ames. Orders are taken every year during the winter for
spring delivery. To order, call: (800)865-2477 or visit their website Iowa DNR State Forest Nursery. The local NRCS District
also sometimes offers plants for wildlife and windbreak plantings. Their number is (563)652-2337 ext: 191. The Hurstville
Interpretive Center serves as a pick-up point for trees ordered from Ames. An additional source for seedlings is Cascade
Forestry Service, 21995 Fillmore Rd., Cascade, IA 52033, (563)852-3042, or www.cascadeforestry.com
Q: I am having problems with my trees/outdoor plants dying. Who can I call to find out what to do?
A: The County Extension Service office has personnel and contact people to help landowners with questions on identifying
diseases in plants and insects that may bug you. They can also work with you to identify soil types. The County Extension
and 4-H office number is (563)652-4923 and is located in the basement of the Jackson County Courthouse.
Q: I lost my hunting licence or Hunter Safety Certificate. Who do I call?
A: For special licences, such as deer licences, contact your County DNR officer. (563)543-5259 For Hunter Safety
Certificates, contact your instructor and the DNR Des Moines office, licencing bureau. (515)281-7148. Or visit the Iowa DNR
website.
Q: How do I control erosion on my property? Or How do I get information on the CRP program?
A: The Natural Resources Conservation Service, which is located in Maquoketa, has staff with expertise in various soil and
erosion topics. Their number in Jackson County is (563)652-2337 ext: 191. The ASCS office number is (563)652-3237 ext:
202.
