Iowa: Controversy over North Liberty City Officials Plan to Lease Land Intended for Muslim Youth Camp

March 27, 2003

Source: Iowa City Press-Citizen

http://www.press-citizen.com/news/032703camp.htm

On March 27, 2003 the Iowa City Press-Citizen reported that "the Corps' district engineer... William J. Bayles... will decide on whether to grant a lease to the Muslim Youth Camps of America, or MYCA. Bayles is reviewing 107 public comments regarding an environmental assessment of the potential campsite that found no significant impact... Local officials, residents and citizens nationwide have voiced strong opposition to MYCA's plans. The Johnson County Board of Supervisors has argued that the first of four alternative designs for the proposed camp would stress Scales Bend Road and other roads, resources and emergency services... Bayles has read all the letters to the Corps and is aware of media coverage, Fournier said. An ABC crew was in town Wednesday and The Washington Post has published a story on the project... 'Letters from people all the way from New York to California have been read,' he said. 'The decision will be made based on fact, not on opinion or fear.'"