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<br />state of Io~a requires that the water resources of the
<br />state be put to beneficial use to the fullest extent of
<br />which they are capable, that waste and unreasonable
<br />uses be prevented, and that water conservation be
<br />exercised with the view to the reasonable and beneficial
<br />use of the water in the public interest.
<br />
<br />Organizotion- The Council consists of ten members,
<br />nine of whom are selected from the state at large, and
<br />the tenth member is the executive director of the
<br />Department of Environmental Quality or his appointee.
<br />The membership was expanded from nine to ten mem-
<br />bers by the inclusion of the executive director of the
<br />Department of Environmental Quality when that
<br />department was created. The nine members from the
<br />state at large are to be selected solely with regard to
<br />their qualifications and fitness to discharge the duties of
<br />the office without regard to their political affiliation. The
<br />appointive members are appointed by the Governor with
<br />the approval of the senate and are appointed for overlap-
<br />ping terms of six years.
<br />
<br />Programs and Activities-The Natural Resources
<br />Council administers a water use pennit system. Upon
<br />receipt of an application for such a pennit, the Council
<br />conducts an investigation to determine, among other
<br />things, the effect of the proposed use on the natural flow
<br />in the watercourse, the effect on any other landowners,
<br />and the impact on the state comprehensive plan for
<br />water resources. The Council is responsible for develop-
<br />ing that comprehensive plan, which shall include all uses
<br />and developments of water resources and provide for
<br />the optimum control, protection, development, alloca-
<br />tion, and utilization of those resources. Water use per-
<br />mits may be issued only if the proposed use is in com-
<br />pliance with the state plan. A hearing is required, includ-
<br />ing notice to interested parties, before the pennit can be
<br />issued.
<br />The Council must also approve the construction or
<br />maintenance of any dam, structure, obstruction, deposit
<br />or excavation to be constructed, used, or maintained on
<br />the flood plain of any river or stream. The Council must '
<br />investigate the effect of the proposed project on the
<br />flood plain and on the comprehensive plan. The Council
<br />must consider its effect on flooding or flood control, on
<br />the use and protection of water resources, on water
<br />quality, on fish, wiJrl1ife, a.TJ.d recreation, a.l1d all other
<br />public rights and requirements.
<br />In addition to the functions described above, the
<br />Council is the 'official representative of the State of Iowa
<br />on all comprehensive water resources planning groups
<br />which provide for state participation. The Council is
<br />authorized to enter into negotiations and make agree-
<br />ments with the Federl Government on various aspects
<br />of federal projects affecting water resources and flood
<br />control projects within the state. The Council also is
<br />authorized to construct its own flood control works.
<br />
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<br />
<br />2. State Conservation Commission
<br />
<br />Authority-In addition to its duties with regard to fish
<br />and wildlife, the Commission has jurisdiction over the
<br />bed and banks of meandered streams, administers stat-
<br />utes and programs relating to state waters, state parks
<br />and forests and forestry preserves, stream and lake
<br />access areas, state-owned artificial lakes and natural
<br />lakes, water navigation regulations, and has primary
<br />responsibility for formulating and implementing state
<br />plans for recreational developments, including the
<br />supervision of County Conservation Boards and Water
<br />Recreation Areas. The administration of the Scenic Riv-
<br />ers System is now the responsibility of the Commission
<br />by the Acts 1970 (63 G.A.) ch. 1062 (I.C.A. sec.
<br />108A.2).
<br />
<br />Organization- The commission consists of ". . .
<br />seven citizens of the state who are interested in
<br />and have substantial knowledge of the subjects. . ."
<br />under its jurisdiction. The members are appointed
<br />by the Governor with the approval of the Senate
<br />to six-year overlapping terms and serve on a part-
<br />time per diem basis. Not more than four of the
<br />members shall, when appointed, be of the same
<br />political party.
<br />The Commission appoints a director who is adminis-
<br />trative head of the department, serving at the pleasure
<br />of the Commission. The department functions through
<br />three divisions, fish and game, lands and waters, and
<br />administration, each headed by a division chief responsi-
<br />ble to the director. The executive director of DEQ has
<br />been added to the Commission by the Acts of 1972 (64
<br />G.A.) ch. 1119, sec. 109 (LC.A. sec. 107.1).
<br />
<br />Programs and Activities- The Commission admin-
<br />isters 90 state parks and preserves totaling more
<br />than 30,000 acres; 209 fish and wildlife areas total-
<br />ing more than 75,000 acres; 7 state forest areas
<br />and I forest nursery totaling more than 20.000
<br />acres; 72 natural lakes and 24 artificial lakes total-
<br />ing 46,386 acres; 900 miles of inland meandered
<br />streams and 600 miles of boundary streams; nine
<br />fish hatcheries; and a wildlife exhibit area. The
<br />Commission reviews plans for Water Recreational
<br />Areas, supervises activities of County Conservation
<br />Boards, formulates comprehensive plans and is au-
<br />
<br />thorizcd to accept funds from and cooperate \vith
<br />
<br />agencies of the Federal Government for recreation-
<br />al purposes.
<br />
<br />3. State Department of Health
<br />
<br />The function of the Health Department as technical
<br />arm of the Water Pollution Control Commission has
<br />been deleted and the function is now in DEQ by the Acts
<br />1972 (64 G.A.) ch. 119, sec. 112 (LC.A. ch. 455B).
<br />
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