It is interesting that the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is being criticized for doing its job with regards to the Lake Delhi state funding appropriation implementation.

The Iowa Legislature approved the Lake Delhi funding with provisions that water quality and public access issues would be addressed as part of the lake restoration. The DNR was tasked with portions of the lake restoration plan because it is the designated Iowa government agency dealing with natural resources.

The plan submitted to the DNR did not include any new public access at the lake.

Improved public access at the lake was one of the major issues during the public funding debate. It is very disturbing that the submitted Combined Lake Delhi Recreation and Water Quality District plan did not address this issue and the plan seemed to suggest the infrastructure currently in place for water quality and public access are adequate.

Don’t beat up the DNR for doing its job. We should be working toward a goal of having a Lake Delhi that all Iowa residents can enjoy and use — those efforts should include making improvements rather than maintaining the old status quo.

Dave Hillman

Cedar Rapids