Iowa Code § 161A.4 — IA Code / Title V / Chapter 161A / Section 161A.4
Division of soil conservation and water quality.
Status: in_force

(1) The division of soil conservation and water quality created within the department pursuant to section 159.5 shall perform the functions conferred upon it in this chapter and chapters 161C, 161E, 161F, 207, 208, and 466B.

(2) In addition to other duties and powers conferred upon the division of soil conservation and water quality, the division has the following duties and powers:

(2) (a) To offer assistance as appropriate to the commissioners of soil and water conservation districts in carrying out any of their powers and programs.

(2) (b) To take notice of each district’s long-range resource conservation plan established under section 161A.7, in order to keep the commissioners of each of the several districts informed of the activities and experience of all other districts, and to facilitate an interchange of advice and experience between such districts and cooperation between them.

(2) (c) To coordinate the programs of the soil and water conservation districts so far as this may be done by advice and consultation.

(2) (d) To secure the cooperation and assistance of the United States and any of its agencies, and of agencies of this state, in the work of such districts.

(2) (e) To disseminate information throughout the state concerning the activities and program of the soil and water conservation districts.

(2) (f) To render financial aid and assistance to soil and water conservation districts for the purpose of carrying out the policy stated in this chapter.

(2) (g) To assist each soil and water conservation district in developing a district soil and water resource conservation plan as provided under section 161A.7. The plan shall be developed according to rules adopted by the division to preserve and protect the public interest in the soil and water resources of this state for future generations and for this purpose to encourage, promote, facilitate, and where such public interest requires, to mandate the conservation and proper control of and use of the soil and water resources of this state, by measures including but not limited to the control of floods, the control of erosion by water or by wind, the preservation of the quality of water for its optimum use for agricultural, irrigation, recreational, industrial, and domestic purposes, all of which shall be presumed to be conducive to the public health, convenience, and welfare, both present and future.

(2) (h) To file the district soil and water resource conservation plans as part of a state soil and water resource conservation plan. The state plan shall contain on a statewide basis the information required for a district plan under this section.

(2) (i) To establish a position of state drainage coordinator for drainage districts and drainage and levee districts which will keep the management of those districts informed of the activities and experience of all other such districts and facilitate an interchange of advice, experience and cooperation among the districts, coordinate by advice and consultation the programs of the districts, secure the cooperation and assistance of the United States and its agencies and of the agencies of this state and other states in the work of the districts, disseminate information throughout the state concerning the activities and programs of the districts, and provide other appropriate assistance to the districts.

(3) The division, in consultation with the commissioners of the soil and water conservation districts, shall conduct a biennial review to survey the availability of private soil and water conservation control contractors in each district. A report containing the results of the review shall be prepared and posted on the department’s internet site.

(4) The division may perform acts, hold public hearings, and propose and approve rules pursuant to chapter 17A as necessary for the execution of its functions.

(5) The division may call upon the attorney general of the state for necessary legal services.

[C39, §2603.05; C46, §160.4; C50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, §467A.4; C73, §455A.40(3), 467A.4; C75, 77, 79, 81, §467A.4; 82 Acts, ch 1199, §73, 74, 96]83 Acts, ch 101, §102; 85 Acts, ch 163, §13; 86 Acts, ch 1245, §648 – 650, 668; 87 Acts, ch 23, §17; 88 Acts, ch 1198, §1, 2; 89 Acts, ch 83, §56; 89 Acts, ch 106, §2C93, §161A.42004 Acts, ch 1143, §1; 2007 Acts, ch 22, §43; 2009 Acts, ch 41, §59; 2015 Acts, ch 103, §27 – 29; 2017 Acts, ch 159, §4 – 6; 2024 Acts, ch 1170, §3, 4