HF 2340 (LSB 5302HV (1) 86)

HOUSE FILE 2340

BY  COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE

(SUCCESSOR TO HF 2187)

A BILL FOR

An Act requiring that state efforts to reduce nutrient loads in surface waters be customized based on a watershed’s unique characteristics.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  NEW SECTION.  466B.4A  Customized initiatives.
   Any initiative, including but not limited to a plan, project, practice, or program, established or administered under this chapter to reduce measurable contributing nutrient loads to a receiving surface water of a watershed shall take into account the watershed’s topography, soils, types of surface waters, farming practices, land uses, types of contributing nutrients, and other relevant characteristics of the watershed.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with

the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   BILL’S PROVISIONS. This bill provides that any initiative established or administered under Code chapter 466B to reduce measurable contributing nutrient loads to a receiving surface water of a watershed must take into account the watershed’s physical characteristics and uses.
   GENERAL. Code chapter 466B, the “Surface Water Protection and Flood Mitigation Act”, includes a number of Code sections that provide for the improvement of surface water quality, including efforts to assess and reduce nutrients in this state’s watersheds as established or administered by the department of natural resources, the department of agriculture and land stewardship, the water resources coordinating council, a watershed planning advisory council, the Iowa nutrient research center, the Iowa nutrient research center advisory council, local communities, and political subdivisions.