CHAPTER 13
STATE LANDS VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
561—13.1(461A) Definitions.
“Department” means the department of natural resources.
“Director” means the director of the department of natural resources.
“Volunteer” means an organization incorporated under Iowa Code chapter 504 as a nonprofit organization, or an individual providing services on behalf of the nonprofit organization, that provides volunteer services for the benefit of lands under the jurisdiction of the department and that registers as a volunteer under this chapter. A volunteer may include a friends group or organization as defined in rule 571—14.1(461A). A volunteer shall not include an organization or individual that operates a concession operation, as defined in rule 571—14.1(461A), unless that concession operation remits all receipts and returns all net proceeds after qualifying expenses from such operations to the department for the benefit of the state parks system, or otherwise procures goods or services for the benefit of the department. Qualifying volunteer services are, unless otherwise specified, limited to activities undertaken on lands under the jurisdiction of the department to benefit such lands. Volunteer services do not include any administrative functions of a nonprofit organization registered under this program.
[ARC 2092C, IAB 8/5/15, effective 9/9/15]
561—13.2(461A) Registration. Organizations seeking to provide services under this program for the benefit of lands under the jurisdiction of the department must register with the department. The department shall make forms available for such application. The department may request additional information as part of its review. Registration must be renewed every other year or as soon as substantial changes are planned to the approved services contained in the authorization letter referenced in this chapter, whichever occurs first.
[ARC 2092C, IAB 8/5/15, effective 9/9/15]
561—13.3(461A) Review. The department will review requests for registration to determine whether the registrant will be designated a volunteer under this program. The department shall evaluate the volunteer’s ability to perform the services, the department’s identified need for such services, and the department’s ability to manage the volunteer’s proposed activities, if applicable.
[ARC 2092C, IAB 8/5/15, effective 9/9/15]
561—13.4(461A) Department decision. The department shall notify the registrant of its decision within a reasonable time period. If the department admits the registrant into the program, the department shall issue an authorization letter that shall be acknowledged by the registrant and shall state the terms of the registrant’s participation in the program. The department may authorize the registrant’s proposed activities in part and deny them in part. The department may provide reasons for any program denials.
[ARC 2092C, IAB 8/5/15, effective 9/9/15]
561—13.5(461A) Program benefit. Volunteers providing services consistent with this program shall be afforded liability protection consistent with Iowa Code section 669.24, provided the volunteers are complying with the terms of the authorization letter issued by the department.
[ARC 2092C, IAB 8/5/15, effective 9/9/15]
561—13.6(461A) Limitation. Nothing in these rules shall expand liability protection afforded volunteers beyond what is authorized by Iowa Code section 669.24. Failure to comply with department directives or policies, including those that may be described in the authorization letter and any amendments, may negate this liability protection. Nothing in these rules shall require registered volunteers to secure insurance for activities approved in the department’s authorization letter.
[ARC 2092C, IAB 8/5/15, effective 9/9/15]
These rules are intended to implement Iowa Code section 461A.81.
[Filed ARC 2092C (Notice ARC 1989C, IAB 5/13/15), IAB 8/5/15, effective 9/9/15]