CHAPTER 28N
MISSISSIPPI RIVER PARTNERSHIP COUNCIL

 
Implementation of chapter subject to availability of funding

or in-kind services for start-up and

first-year administration expenses;

2009 Acts, ch 146, §14

  28N.1  Mississippi river partnership council — findings.
  The state of Iowa finds and declares all of the following:
  1.  The preservation, enhancement, and intelligent use of the Mississippi river is in the ecological and economic interests of the citizens of the state of Iowa.
  2.  The public interest is advanced by the stimulation of sustainable economic development initiatives and watershed management projects by local, state, and federal agencies, local communities, not-for-profit conservation organizations, and private landowners and other stakeholders along the Mississippi river.
2009 Acts, ch 146, §1, 14
Implementation of chapter subject to availability of funding or in-kind services for start-up and first-year administration expenses; 2009 Acts, ch 146, §14 

  28N.2  Mississippi river partnership council — establishment and procedures.
  1.  A Mississippi river partnership council is established. The purpose of the council is to be a forum for city, county, state, agriculture, business, conservation, and environmental representatives and other stakeholders to discuss matters relevant to the health, management, and use of the Mississippi river. In furthering its purpose, the council may work with local communities to develop local and regional strategies, and make recommendations to appropriate state and federal agencies.
  2.  The Mississippi river partnership council may consist of all of the following:
  a.  One nonvoting person appointed by the governor who shall serve as the chairperson of the council.
  b.  Six voting members appointed by the governor, each of whom shall reside in one of the ten Iowa counties bordering the Mississippi river, including all of the following:
  (1)  One member representing soil and water conservation districts.
  (2)  One person representing business.
  (3)  One person representing recreational interests.
  (4)  One person representing conservation interests.
  (5)  One person representing environmental interests.
  (6)  One person representing agricultural interests who is actively engaged in farming.
  c.  Ten voting members appointed by county boards of supervisors, one by each of the ten Iowa counties bordering the Mississippi river.
  d.  Ten voting members appointed by city councils, one each by the council of the largest Iowa city adjacent to the Mississippi river in each county bordering the river.
  e.  Four voting members, each appointed by the heads of the following departments:
  (1)  The department of agriculture and land stewardship.
  (2)  The department of natural resources.
  (3)  The economic development authority.
  (4)  The department of transportation.
  f.  Two members of the senate and two members of the house of representatives, serving as ex officio, nonvoting members. The members may be appointed, one each by the majority leader of the senate, after consultation with the president of the senate, and by the minority leader of the senate, and by the speaker of the house of representatives, after consultation with the majority leader of the house of representatives, and by the minority leader of the house of representatives. Members shall receive compensation pursuant to section 2.12.
  g.  The council may, at its discretion, appoint individuals representing federal agencies or other state agencies or commissions to serve as ex officio, nonvoting members.
  3.  Members of the Mississippi river partnership council, other than members of the general assembly, shall be appointed to serve for three-year terms. However, among the initial appointments, the persons making the appointments of voting members shall coordinate appointments of members to serve terms for less than three years to ensure staggered terms. The persons making the appointments of voting members shall also coordinate appointments to meet the requirements of sections 69.16 and 69.16A.
  4.  The Mississippi river partnership council shall meet at least quarterly in one or more Iowa counties bordering the Mississippi river during its first three years of existence and shall meet at least twice a year in one or more Iowa counties bordering the Mississippi river after that time. The council shall meet at any time on the call of the chairperson.
  5.  A majority of the voting members of the Mississippi river partnership council constitutes a quorum. Any action taken by the council must be adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of its voting membership.
  6.  Until the Mississippi river partnership council provides for its permanent staffing and support, the east central intergovernmental association, in cooperation with councils of governments and county boards of supervisors in counties adjacent to the Mississippi river, shall be responsible for providing the council with administrative support.
  7.  The Mississippi river partnership council may adopt bylaws and rules of operation consistent with this section.
  8.  The Mississippi river partnership council, including any of its committees, is a governmental body for purposes of chapter 21 and a government body for purposes of chapter 22.
2009 Acts, ch 146, §2, 14; 2011 Acts, ch 118, §85, 89
Implementation of chapter subject to availability of funding or in-kind services for start-up and first-year administration expenses; 2009 Acts, ch 146, §14 
Code editor directive applied

  28N.3  Mississippi river partnership council — powers and duties.
  1.  The Mississippi river partnership council may collaborate with the water resources coordinating council established pursuant to section 466B.3.
  2.  a.  The Mississippi river partnership council’s duties shall include all of the following:
  (1)  Reviewing activities and programs administered by state and federal agencies that directly impact the Mississippi river.
  (2)  Working with local communities, organizations, and other states to encourage partnerships that promote sustainable economic development opportunities in counties along the Mississippi river; enhance awareness about the river and its uses; encourage the protection, restoration, and expansion of critical habitats; and promote the adoption of soil conservation and water quality best management practices.
  (3)  Working with federal agencies to optimize the implementation of programs and the expenditure of moneys affecting the Mississippi river and counties in Iowa along the Mississippi river, including the upper Mississippi river basin association and the Mississippi parkway planning commission.
  (4)  Advising and making recommendations to the water resources coordinating council established in section 466B.3, the governor, the general assembly, and state agencies, regarding strategic plans and priorities impacting the Mississippi river, methods to optimize the implementation of associated programs, and the expenditure of moneys affecting the river and counties bordering the Mississippi river.
  (5)  Encouraging communities in counties bordering the Mississippi river to develop watershed management plans for their communities to address storm water, erosion, flooding, sedimentation, and pollution problems and encouraging projects for the natural conveyance and storage of floodwaters; the enhancement of wildlife habitat and outdoor recreation opportunities; the recovery, management, and conservation of the Mississippi river; and the preservation of farmland, prairies, and forests.
  (6)  Identifying and promoting opportunities to enhance economic development and job creation in communities along the Mississippi river, as well as other measurable development efforts, which are compatible with the ecological health of the Mississippi river and the state.
  (7)  Helping identify possible sources of funding for watershed management projects and sustainable economic development opportunities.
  (8)  Functioning as a forum for discussion and providing advice or recommendations on matters of public interest that are reasonably related to the purpose of the council.
  b.  The Mississippi river partnership council shall only administer its duties as provided in paragraph “a” within the ten Iowa counties bordering the Mississippi river.
  3.  The department of agriculture and land stewardship, the department of natural resources, the economic development authority, and the department of transportation may apply for grant moneys or may solicit moneys from sources to support the work of the Mississippi river partnership council.
2009 Acts, ch 146, §3, 14; 2011 Acts, ch 118, §85, 89
Implementation of chapter subject to availability of funding or in-kind services for start-up and first-year administration expenses; 2009 Acts, ch 146, §14 
Code editor directive applied