Abandon Railroad Bed Through Eagle Slough
The Vanderburgh County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) partnered their efforts together with Four Rivers RC&D, The Nature Conservancy, Wesselman Woods Nature Society and other local organizations, in the acquisition of 127 acres, that will be used to educate & promote conservation.
The state of Indiana Department of Natural Resources, was interested in selling 2 tracts of land consisting of 73.9 acres at the intersection of Highway 41 and Waterworks Road. Traylor Brothers, Inc., a business located in the Evansville area, was the owner of a 52.99 acre tract of land that separated the 2 State of Indiana tracts, and expressed their desire to donate this tract to Vanderburgh SWCD.
On November 21, 2007, the State of Indiana sent a letter to Vanderburgh County SWCD, stating that with the support of the Department of Natural Resources, they would be proceeding with the 2 tract, 73.9 acre transfer. On December 21, 2007, Traylor Brothers, Inc. officially quit-claimed to Four Rivers RC&D, on behalf of Vanderburgh County SWCD, the 52.99 acre tract. These 3 newly acquired tracts totaling 127 acres, has been given the name “Eagle Slough”.
A steering committee was developed to organize and complete this project. The committee members are Dave Elgin, Darrell Rice, Bonnie Bittner, Davie Sue Litov, Maurice Berendes, Susan Haislip, Greg Meyer, Harold Allison, Kemper Lease & Lee Tuggle.
A public input meeting was conducted, for assisting the planning and development of the acquired land.