CHAPTER 22HABITAT AND PUBLIC ACCESS PROGRAM[Prior to 12/31/86, Conservation Commission[290] Ch 22]571—22.1(456A, 483A) Purpose and authority. These rules set forth the procedures to open private lands to public hunting, while providing grant funds to create, manage, and enhance wildlife habitat.Related ARC(s): 7899C571—22.2(456A, 483A) Eligibility. In order to be eligible for this program, an applicant shall: 22.2(1) Have land in Iowa that already contains wildlife habitat or be willing to allow development of wildlife habitat; 22.2(2) Enter into an agreement with the department; and 22.2(3) Allow public access for hunting without charge on at least 40 acres.Related ARC(s): 7899C571—22.3(456A, 483A) Application procedures. Applications will be accepted only from those eligible pursuant to rule 571—22.2(456A,483A). 22.3(1) Applications. Applications must be submitted on forms furnished by the department. Landowners will be notified in writing within 30 days of submission of an application whether they have been accepted into the program. 22.3(2) Project review and selection. Projects will be selected based on the ranked scoring criteria in the application, which prioritize sites with the greatest chance of benefiting wildlife populations and providing adequate recreational hunting opportunities. The criteria include, but are not necessarily limited to, the site’s habitat potential, site suitability, priority locations, and other relevant habitat and hunting access factors.Related ARC(s): 7899C571—22.4(456A, 483A) Agreements. 22.4(1) The commission shall enter into an agreement with approved landowners to carry out the purposes of this program. 22.4(2) Enrolled lands are subject to game management area hunting rules as contained in 571—Chapter 51. Access and boundary signs shall be placed and maintained on enrolled lands by the department.Related ARC(s): 7899C571—22.5(456A, 483A) Cost reimbursement. Whenever a landowner has been found to be in violation of an agreement or terminates the agreement early, the landowner shall reimburse the state a prorated amount of the value of wildlife habitat improvement work completed on the property divided by the entire agreement period multiplied by the unfulfilled years of the agreement, e.g., (total dollars ÷ total years) × unfulfilled years = prorated amount owed. Additionally, the landowner may be assessed early termination penalties that the department may be required to pay a contractor performing the wildlife habitat improvement work on the property.Related ARC(s): 7899CThese rules are intended to implement Iowa Code section 483A.3B(3).Related ARC(s): 9496B, 5227C, 7899C
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