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:
a.To offer assistance as appropriate to the commissioners of soil and water conservation
districts in carrying out any of their powers and programs.
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 in
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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:
a. To offer assistance as appropriate to the commissioners of soil and water conservation
districts in carrying out any of their powers and programs.
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.
c. To coordinate the programs of the soil and water conservation districts so far as this
may be done by advice and consultation.
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.
e. To disseminate information throughout the state concerning the activities and program
of the soil and water conservation districts.
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.
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.
§161A.4, SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION 4
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.
i. To establish a position of state drainage coordinator for drainage districts and drainage
andleveedistrictswhichwillkeepthemanagementofthosedistrictsinformedoftheactivities
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. Thedivisionmaycallupontheattorneygeneralofthestatefornecessarylegalservices.