It is declared to be in the general public welfare of Iowa and a highway purpose that
highway maintenance, construction, reconstruction, and repair shall protect and preserve,
by not causing unnecessary destruction, the natural or historic heritage of the state. In order
to provide for the protection and preservation, the following shall be accomplished in the
design, construction, reconstruction, relocation, repair, or maintenance of roads, streets,
and highways:
1.Woodlands. Woodland removed shall be replaced by plantings as close as possible
to the initial site, or by acquisition of an equal amount of woodland in the general vicinity
for public ownership and preservation, or by other mitigation deemed to be comparable to
the woodland removed, including, but not limited to, the improvem
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It is declared to be in the general public welfare of Iowa and a highway purpose that
highway maintenance, construction, reconstruction, and repair shall protect and preserve,
by not causing unnecessary destruction, the natural or historic heritage of the state. In order
to provide for the protection and preservation, the following shall be accomplished in the
design, construction, reconstruction, relocation, repair, or maintenance of roads, streets,
and highways:
1. Woodlands. Woodland removed shall be replaced by plantings as close as possible
to the initial site, or by acquisition of an equal amount of woodland in the general vicinity
for public ownership and preservation, or by other mitigation deemed to be comparable to
the woodland removed, including, but not limited to, the improvement, development, or
preservation of woodland under public ownership.
2. Wetlands. Wetland removed shall be replaced by acquisition of wetland, in the same
general vicinity if possible, for public ownership and preservation, or by other mitigation
deemed to be comparable to the wetland removed, including, but not limited to, the
improvement, development, or preservation of wetland under public ownership.
3. Public parks. Highways, streets, and roads constructed on or through publicly owned
lands comprising parks, preserves, or recreation areas, shall be located and designed, in
consultation with the public entity owning the land, so as to blend aesthetically with the areas
and to minimize noise. When land is taken from the areas for highway construction and if,
in consultation with the public entity owning the land, mitigation is deemed necessary, the
land shall be replaced by an equal or greater amount for public use, or by other mitigation,
undertaken in consultation with the public entity owning the land, and deemed to be
appropriate to the amount of land taken, including, but not limited to, the improvement,
development, or preservation of the areas.
4. Prime agricultural lands. Topsoil removed may be utilized for landscaping and other
necessary construction. Excess topsoil shall be made available to the former landowner
or other landowners whose land was purchased for the construction or others, and if not
acquired by one of these parties, it may be disposed of.