The Governor further wrote in his veto message that hunting provides significant recreational and economic development opportunities throughout the state. This investment is aimed at improving Iowa s water resources through the establishment of buffer strips, efforts to restore and construct wetlands, and expansion of water quality monitoring and watershed programs. A significant benefit of last year s initiative is the expansion and creation of wildlife habitat for enhanced recreational opportunities. This expands wildlife populations and opportunities for sports men and women without expanding the number of species open to hunting. The Department of Natural Resources has reported that the number of arrests made last summer for intoxicated boaters was eleven, which is their normal amount.
Several cases are still pending.
Although the new law that was passed last year is not equating to more arrests, officers are reporting that last summer they noticed less drinking by boaters and less beer in the boats. The department is currently working on developing forms to keep better records in the future. They are also working on better coordination with courts and county attorneys. The new implied consent proposal dictates that, similar to laws relating to drunk driving, a boat operator effectively consents to a test when operating the vessel. A conservation officer can request an operator to submit to a test if the officer has reasonable cause to suspect drunkenness, such as if the vessel is being operated in an erratic manner.