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<br />43 <br /> <br /> <br />000801 <br /> <br />board finds that the improvement will materially benefit in- <br />cluded lands and will be conducive to the public health, con- <br />venience, welfare, benefit or utility, it appoints three <br />appraisers to assess damages, If the board finds that the <br />cost and expense is not excessive, it finally locates and <br />establishes the district and improvement. Thereafter, three <br />commissioners are appointed to assess benefits and classify <br />lands affected by the improvement, <br /> <br />In mutual agreement districts, a copy of the <br />unanimous agreement of all owners of affected lands is filed <br />with the county auditor and the district is located and <br />established by the board, The board thereafter carries out <br />the purpose of the agreement, constructing improvements <br />and levying drainage taxes and assessments as in petition <br />districts, ,. <br /> <br />Any levee or drainage district in which the original <br />construction has been completed and paid for may be placed <br />(petition of majority of landowners) under the control and <br />management of a three-man board of trustees elected by <br />owners of land in the district, <br /> <br />Programs and Activities: There have been literally <br />thousands of drainage districts established in Iowa, principally <br />in the central and north-central part of the state. One county <br />reportedly has more than 350 drainage districts, A great many <br />of these districts have been completely inactive since com- <br />pletion of the original construction, others have maintained <br />continuing programs, There presently is no state agency to <br />regulate, coordinate, or record activities of drainage districts, <br /> <br />b, Soil Conservation Districts <br /> <br />Authority: Since enactment of enabling legislation in <br />1939, Soil Conservation Districts have been organized in each <br />of Iowa's 99 counties (two districts formed in Pottawattamie <br />County) by referendum vote of landowners. The districts have <br />the usual authority to make surveys and investigations, develop <br />plans, carry out control measures, and cooperate with <br />landowners for conservation of soil and water resources, <br />Participation in programs of the districts is entirely voluntary <br />as the districts have no authority to enforce land use regulations, <br />