§ 314.21 — Living roadway trust fund

Iowa § 314.21

• Jurisdiction: Iowa
• Title VIII: TRANSPORTATION
• Ch. 314: ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS FOR HIGHWAYS

Text

1. a. The living roadway trust fund is created in the office of the treasurer of state. The
moneys in this fund shall be used exclusively for the development and implementation of
integrated roadside vegetation plans. Except as provided in subsections 2 and 3, the moneys
shall only be expended for areas on or adjacent to road, street, and highway right-of-ways.
The state department of transportation in consultation with the department of natural
resources shall establish standards relating to the type of projects available for assistance.
b. A city or county which has a project which qualifies for the use of these funds shall
submit a request for the funds to the state department of transportation. A city or county
may, at its option, apply moneys allocated for use on city or county projects under this
subsection toward qualifying projects on the primary road system. The state department
of transportation in consultation with the department of natural resources shall determine
which projects qualify for the funds and which projects shall be funded if the requests for the
funds exceed the availability of the funds. In ranking applications for funds, the department
shall consider the proportion of political subdivision matching funds to be provided, if
any, and the proportion of private contributions to be provided, if any. In considering the
proportion of political subdivision matching funds provided, the department shall consider
only those moneys which are in addition to those which the political subdivision has
historically provided toward such projects. Funds allocated to the cities, the counties, and
the department which are not programmed by the end of each fiscal year shall be available
for redistribution to any eligible applicant regardless of the original allocation of funds. Such
funds shall be awarded for eligible projects based upon their merit in meeting the program
objectives established by the department under section 314.22. The department shall submit
a report of all projects funded in the previous fiscal year to the governor and to the general
assembly on January 15 of each year.
c. Beginning April 1, 1990, the moneys in the living roadway trust fund shall be allocated
between the state, counties, and cities in the same proportion that the road use tax funds are
allocated under section 312.2, subsection 1, paragraphs “a”, “b”, “c”, and “d”. However, after
April 1, 1990, a city or county shall not be eligible to receive moneys from the living roadway
trust fund unless the city or county has an integrated roadside vegetation management plan
in place consistent with the objectives in section 314.22.
2. a. The department may authorize projects which provide grants or loans to local
governments and organizations which are developing community entryway enhancement
and other planting demonstration projects. Planning, public education, installation, and
initial maintenance planning and development may be determined by the department to be
eligible activities for funding under this paragraph. Projects approved under this paragraph
require a local match or contribution toward the overall project cost.
b. The department may authorize projects which provide grants or loans to local
governments for the purchase of specialized equipment and special staff training for the

establishment of alternative forms of roadside vegetation. Projects approved under this
paragraph require a local match or contribution toward the overall project cost.
c. The department, in order to create greater visual effect, shall investigate alternatives
for concentrating plantings at strategic locations to gain a greater visual impact and appeal
as well as stronger scenic value. Equal attention shall be given to providing safe and effective
habitats for wildlife which can coexist with highways.
d. The department may authorize projects which provide grants or loans to local
jurisdictions for increased protection through the use of easements, fee title acquisition,
covenants, zoning ordinances, or other provisions for protection of vegetation and desirable
environment adjacent to the right-of-way. Off-right-of-way projects shall emphasize
vegetation protection or enhancement, scenic and wildlife values, erosion control and
enhancement of vegetation management projects within the right-of-ways.
3. a. Moneys allocated to the state under subsection 1 shall be expended as follows:
(1) Fifty thousand dollars annually to the department for the services of the integrated
roadside vegetation management coordinator and support.
(2) One hundred thousand dollars annually for education programs, research and
demonstration projects, and vegetation inventories and strategies, under section 314.22,
subsections 5, 6, and 8.
(3) All remaining moneys for the gateways program under section 314.22, subsection 7.
b. Moneys allocated to the counties under subsection 1 shall be expended as follows:
(1) For the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1995, and ending June 30, 1996, and each
subsequent fiscal year, seventy-five thousand dollars to the university of northern Iowa to
maintain the position of the state roadside specialist and to continue its integrated roadside
vegetation management program providing research, education, training, and technical
assistance.
(2) All remaining money for grants or loans under subsection 2, paragraph “a”.
c. Moneys allocated to the cities shall be expended for grants or loans under subsection
2, paragraph “a”.