H-1442

   Amend  the amendment, H-1440, to Senate File 512, as amended, passed, and reprinted by the Senate, as follows:
   1.  Page 4, after line 24 by inserting: 
   <4A.  Grants under the program shall be awarded subject to the satisfaction of all of the following conditions:
   a.  The Iowa nutrient reduction strategy is updated to include the interim goals and timelines of the gulf hypoxia Mississippi river task force that call for a twenty percent reduction in nitrates and phosphorus by calendar year 2025.
   b.  Each project shall require a comprehensive watershed-based assessment and planning process open to all landowners and other stakeholders, with an absolute preference for initiatives recommended or conducted by, or included in the plans of, a watershed management authority, with financial participation by local participants based on principles adopted according to the Iowa smart planning principles in chapter 18B.
   c.  Funding preference shall be given for projects that achieve one or more benefits in addition to nutrient reduction, including but not limited to soil health, erosion prevention, flood mitigation, reductions in other pollutants, wildlife habitat creation or preservation, and public recreational access. Program funds shall not be used for initiatives that are solely demonstration projects or initiatives under the Iowa nutrient reduction strategy. 
   d.  The project establishes specific benchmarks, priorities, goals, timelines, and milestones, including regular ambient water quality measurements for the project, which are consistent with the goals and timelines of the Iowa nutrient reduction strategy, including but not limited to the changes required in paragraph “a”.
   e.  The project has its performance evaluated by a competent and independent third-party entity at least once every two years starting from the beginning of the project and again at the conclusion of the project. 
   f.  The project publicly reports participation, progress, and results at least once every two years, which reports shall include, at a minimum, measured changes in water quality. 
   g.  The project shall require, at a minimum, at least a fifty percent cost share from landowners or other private entities or persons for improvements to private property, including both installation and maintenance, and including regular maintenance in accordance with public easements for a minimum of twenty years. Any public moneys awarded for improvements that are not maintained or that are removed shall be returned to the authority.>
   2.  Page 13, after line 13 by inserting: 
   <1A.  Awards of financial assistance under the program shall be made subject to the satisfaction of all of the following conditions:
   a.  The Iowa nutrient reduction strategy is updated to include the interim goals and timelines of the gulf hypoxia Mississippi river task force that call for a twenty percent reduction in nitrates and phosphorus by calendar year 2025.
   b.  Each project shall require a comprehensive watershed-based assessment and planning process open to all landowners and other stakeholders, with an absolute preference for initiatives recommended or conducted by, or included in the plans of, a watershed management authority, with financial participation by local participants based on principles adopted according to the Iowa smart planning principles in chapter 18B.
   c.  Funding preference shall be given for projects that achieve one or more benefits in addition to nutrient reduction, including but not limited to soil health, erosion prevention, flood mitigation, reductions in other pollutants, wildlife habitat creation or preservation, and public recreational access. Program funds shall not be used for initiatives that are solely demonstration projects or initiatives under the Iowa nutrient reduction strategy. 
   d.  The project establishes specific benchmarks, priorities, goals, timelines, and milestones, including regular ambient water quality measurements for the project, which are consistent with the goals and timelines of the Iowa nutrient reduction strategy, including but not limited to the changes required in paragraph “a”.
   e.  The project has its performance evaluated by a competent and independent third-party entity at least once every two years starting from the beginning of the project and again at the conclusion of the project. 
   f.  The project publicly reports participation, progress, and results at least once every two years, which reports shall include, at a minimum, measured changes in water quality. 
   g.  The project shall require, at a minimum, at least a fifty percent cost share from landowners or other private entities or persons for improvements to private property, including both installation and maintenance, and including regular maintenance in accordance with public easements for a minimum of twenty years. Any public moneys awarded for improvements that are not maintained or that are removed shall be returned to the authority.>
   3.  Page 31, after line 6 by inserting: 
   <2A.  Awards of financial assistance under the programs shall be made subject to the satisfaction of all of the following conditions:
   a.  The Iowa nutrient reduction strategy is updated to include the interim goals and timelines of the gulf hypoxia Mississippi river task force that call for a twenty percent reduction in nitrates and phosphorus by calendar year 2025.
   b.  Each project shall require a comprehensive watershed-based assessment and planning process open to all landowners and other stakeholders, with an absolute preference for initiatives recommended or conducted by, or included in the plans of, a watershed management authority, with financial participation by local participants based on principles adopted according to the Iowa smart planning principles in chapter 18B.
   c.  Funding preference shall be given for projects that achieve one or more benefits in addition to nutrient reduction, including but not limited to soil health, erosion prevention, flood mitigation, reductions in other pollutants, wildlife habitat creation or preservation, and public recreational access. Program funds shall not be used for initiatives that are solely demonstration projects or initiatives under the Iowa nutrient reduction strategy. 
   d.  The project establishes specific benchmarks, priorities, goals, timelines, and milestones, including regular ambient water quality measurements for the project, which are consistent with the goals and timelines of the Iowa nutrient reduction strategy, including but not limited to the changes required in paragraph “a”.
   e.  The project has its performance evaluated by a competent and independent third-party entity at least once every two years starting from the beginning of the project and again at the conclusion of the project. 
   f.  The project publicly reports participation, progress, and results at least once every two years, which reports shall include, at a minimum, measured changes in water quality. 
   g.  The project shall require, at a minimum, at least a fifty percent cost share from landowners or other private entities or persons for improvements to private property, including both installation and maintenance, and including regular maintenance in accordance with public easements for a minimum of twenty years. Any public moneys awarded for improvements that are not maintained or that are removed shall be returned to the division.>
   4.  By renumbering, redesignating, and correcting internal references as necessary.

______________________________
ISENHART of Dubuque