461APUBLIC LANDS AND WATERSIGENERAL PROVISIONS461A.1Definitions.As used in this chapter unless the context otherwise requires:1“Commission” means the natural resource commission created under section 455A.5.2“Department” means the department of natural resources created under section 455A.2.3“Director” means the director of the department.4“Honey creek resort state park” or “resort” means the state’s premier destination state park located on Rathbun lake.[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §1797; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.1]86 Acts, ch 1238, §57, 58; 86 Acts, ch 1245, §1861, 1992C93, §461A.12019 Acts, ch 46, §4; 2020 Acts, ch 1062, §54461A.2Duties in general.The commission shall investigate places in Iowa rich in natural history, forest reserves, archaeological specimens, and geological deposits; and the means of promoting forestry and maintaining and preserving animal and bird life and the conservation of the natural resources of the state.[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §1798; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.2]C93, §461A.2461A.3Duties as to parks.1It shall be the duty of the commission to establish, maintain, improve, and beautify public parks and preserves upon the shores of lakes, streams, or other waters, or at other places within the state which have become historical or which are of scientific interest, or which by reason of their natural scenic beauty or location are adapted therefor. The commission shall have the power to maintain, improve, or beautify state-owned bodies of water, and to provide proper public access to those waters. The commission shall have the power to provide and operate facilities for the proper public use of the areas above described.2The commission shall open all roads which pass through the Ledges State Park from September 15 through November 1 of each year.3The department shall research and develop recommendations to increase the accessibility of people with disabilities in state parks and public recreation. The department shall provide public information on the department’s internet site and in brochures about opportunities for people with disabilities in state parks and public recreation.[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §1799; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.3]86 Acts, ch 1245, §1877C93, §461A.32022 Acts, ch 1021, §111; 2024 Acts, ch 1163, §1461A.3AHoney creek resort state park findings competitive bidding.1Honey creek resort state park is established to provide important recreational and economic benefits to the state.2Competitive bid laws, including hearings in connection with contracts, shall not apply to either the department’s or its agents’ contracts involving or benefitting the resort if the contract is carrying out a public or essential governmental function. However, the exemption from competitive bid laws in this section shall not be construed to apply to contracts for the development or construction of facilities at the resort, including but not limited to lodges, campgrounds, cabins, and golf courses.2019 Acts, ch 46, §5461A.4Construction of structures and operation of commercial concessions.1aA person shall not construct a structure including but not limited to a pier, wharf, sluice, piling, wall, fence, obstruction, erection, or building upon or over any state-owned or state-managed land or water under the jurisdiction of the commission without first obtaining from the commission a written permit. A permit, in matters relating to or in any manner affecting flood control, shall not be issued without approval of the environmental protection commission of the department. A person shall not construct or maintain a structure beyond the line of private ownership along or upon the shores of state-owned or state-managed waters in a manner to obstruct the passage of pedestrians along the shore between the ordinary high-water mark and the water’s edge, except by permission of the commission.bThe commission shall adopt and enforce rules governing and regulating the construction of a structure as provided in this subsection. The commission may prohibit or restrict its construction, or order the owner to remove the structure, when the commission determines that it is in the best interest of the public. The commission shall comply with the provisions of chapter 17A when issuing an order under this section.2A person shall not operate a commercial concession in a park, forest, fish and wildlife area, or recreation area under the jurisdiction of the department without first entering into a written contract with the department. The contract shall state the consideration and other terms under which the concession may be operated. The department may cancel or, in an emergency, suspend a concession contract for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, or welfare.[C27, 31, 35, §1799-b2; C39, §1703.19, 1799.1; C46, 50, 54, 58, §106.19, 111.4; C62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.4; 82 Acts, ch 1199, §55, 96]86 Acts, ch 1245, §1862, 1877; 88 Acts, ch 1192, §1; 90 Acts, ch 1108, §1C93, §461A.42008 Acts, ch 1161, §6461A.5Obstruction removed.Repealed by 2008 Acts, ch 1161, §10. 461A.5AInjunctive relief.If it appears to the department that a person is violating or about to violate a provision of section 461A.4 or refuses to comply with an order issued by the commission pursuant to section 461A.4, the department may refer the matter to the attorney general, who may bring an action in the district court in any county of the state for an injunction to restrain the person from committing the violation. Upon a proper showing, the court may order a permanent or temporary injunction. The state shall not be required to post a bond.2008 Acts, ch 1161, §7461A.5BPenalties.1Except as provided in subsection 2, a person who violates a provision of section 461A.4 or of a departmental rule or refuses to comply with an order issued by the commission pursuant to section 461A.4 is guilty of a simple misdemeanor.2The state may proceed against a person who violates a provision of section 461A.4 or refuses to comply with an order issued by the commission pursuant to section 461A.4 by initiating an alternative civil enforcement action in lieu of a criminal prosecution. The amount of the civil penalty shall not exceed five thousand dollars. Each day of a violation shall be considered a separate offense. The alternative civil enforcement action may be brought against the person as a contested case proceeding by the department under chapter 17A if the amount of the civil penalty is not more than ten thousand dollars or as a civil judicial proceeding by the attorney general upon referral by the department. In a contested case proceeding, the department may impose, assess, and collect the civil penalty.2008 Acts, ch 1161, §8461A.6Costs — lien.The cost of removing a structure as provided in section 461A.4 shall be paid by its owner, and the state shall have a lien upon the property for the cost of removal. The costs shall be payable at the time of removal and such lien may be enforced and foreclosed, as provided for the foreclosure of security interests in uniform commercial code, chapter 554, article 9, part 6.[C31, 35, §1799-d1; C39, §1799.3; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.6]C93, §461A.62000 Acts, ch 1149, §170, 187; 2008 Acts, ch 1161, §9461A.7Eminent domain.The commission may purchase or condemn lands for public parks. No contract for the purchase of such public parks shall be made to an amount in excess of funds appropriated therefor by the general assembly.[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §1800; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.7]86 Acts, ch 1245, §1980C93, §461A.7461A.8Highways.The commission may purchase or condemn highways connecting parks with the public highways. When the highways have been purchased or condemned, the same shall be public highways of this state and shall be maintained as other public highways of the county.[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §1801; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.8]86 Acts, ch 1245, §1981C93, §461A.8461A.9Condemnation statutes.All the provisions of the law relating to the condemnation of lands for public state purposes shall apply to the provisions of this chapter in and so far as applicable.[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §1802; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.9]C93, §461A.92019 Acts, ch 59, §144461A.10Title to lands.The title to all lands purchased, condemned, or donated, under this chapter, for park or highway purposes, shall be taken in the name of the state and if thereafter it shall be deemed advisable to sell any portion of the land so purchased or condemned, the proceeds of the sale shall be placed to the credit of the public state parks fund to be used for such park purposes.[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §1803; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.10]C93, §461A.102019 Acts, ch 59, §145461A.11Gifts — jurisdiction over dedicated lands — plan.1The commission may accept gifts of land or other property, or the use of lands or other property for a term of years, and improve and use the land as public state parks.2Any land adjacent to a meandered lake or a meandered stream which has been conveyed by gift, dedication, or other means to the public, but has not been conveyed to the jurisdiction of a specific state agency or political subdivision, shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the commission and to the rules promulgated pursuant to this chapter. The commission shall prepare a plan for the appropriate public use of such land in accordance with this chapter within two years of its coming under the jurisdiction of the commission. The plan may be amended by the commission.[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §1804; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.11]86 Acts, ch 1237, §5; 86 Acts, ch 1245, §1982C93, §461A.11461A.12Conditions — lands.The conditions attached to a gift shall be entered in writing as part of the record of the title by which the state takes the lands, and shall be inscribed upon any chart, map, or description of said park if the conditions are made by the grantor in lieu of money as a consideration paid by the state.[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §1805; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.12]C93, §461A.12461A.13Conditions — personalty.If the donation be other than real estate and a particular specification for its use be made by the donor, no part of such donation shall be used or expended for any other purpose.[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §1806; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.13]C93, §461A.13461A.14Reversion of gift.If the lands transferred to the state as a gift, or if lands purchased in whole or in part by the state from moneys given for that purpose, shall be abandoned or sold and not used for state park purposes, the donor shall reclaim the land or funds donated by filing the donor’s request in writing with the executive council within six months of the time of the abandonment or sale by the state of such lands, but no interest or other charge shall be demanded of or paid by the state. Any unclaimed funds shall be used for park purposes.[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §1807; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.14]C93, §461A.14461A.15Use of private funds.The commission may permit the improvement of parks, when established, or the improvement of bodies of water, upon the border of which such parks may be established, by the expenditure of private funds, such improvement to be done, however, under the direction of the commission, by and with the consent of the executive council.[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §1808; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.15]C93, §461A.15461A.16Landscape architect.The commission may call upon the Iowa state university of science and technology for the services of at least one competent landscape architect, engineer, or gardener, who shall, under the direction of the commission, proceed to work with the commission in the improvement of the state property under the control of the commission. The president of the Iowa state university of science and technology shall, when called upon, designate the landscape architect, engineer, or gardener, as the case may be, who shall work with the commission.[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §1809; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.16]C93, §461A.162019 Acts, ch 59, §146461A.17Expense and compensation.All necessary expenses incurred by such landscape architect, engineer, or gardener, under the provisions of section 461A.16, shall be paid in the same manner as are other expenditures by the commission, but no compensation shall be paid for such services.[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §1811; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.17]C93, §461A.17461A.18Jurisdiction.Jurisdiction over all meandered streams and lakes of this state and of state lands bordering thereon, not now used by some other state body for state purposes, is conferred upon the commission. The exercise of this jurisdiction is subject to the approval of the department in matters relating to or in any manner affecting flood control. The commission, with the approval of the executive council, may establish parts of the property into state parks, and when so established all of the provisions of this chapter relative to public parks apply to the property.[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §1812; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.18; 82 Acts, ch 1199, §56, 96]C93, §461A.18461A.19Boundaries.The commission shall at once proceed to establish the boundary lines between the state-owned property under its jurisdiction and privately owned property when said commission deems it feasible and necessary, and shall where deemed advisable mark the same so that the boundaries of such state-owned property may be easily ascertainable to the public.[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §1813; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.19]C93, §461A.19461A.20State department of transportation duties.The commission may call upon the state department of transportation for the services of at least one competent engineer, who shall, under the direction of the commission, proceed to work in conjunction with the commission in carrying out the true spirit and purpose of this chapter.[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §1814; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.20]86 Acts, ch 1245, §1877C93, §461A.202019 Acts, ch 59, §147461A.21County engineer — duties.The commission may call upon the county engineer of any county to advise relative to the true boundary between the state-owned property and private property in the county, and to furnish plats and surveys showing such true boundary lines, and when directed by the commission, shall mark such boundary lines as herein provided.[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §1815; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.21]C93, §461A.21461A.22Surveys and plats.All surveys and plats shall be filed with the secretary of the executive council, and shall become public records of this state.[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §1816; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.22]86 Acts, ch 1245, §1863C93, §461A.22461A.23Compensation.The compensation and expenses of the highway engineer shall be paid as a part of the maintenance of the state department of transportation, and of the county engineer by the county, as the case may be.[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §1817; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.23]C93, §461A.23461A.24Boundaries — adjustment.Whenever a controversy shall arise as to the true boundary line between state-owned property and private property, the commission may adjust the boundary line or take such other action in the premises as in its judgment may seem right. When the disputed boundary line is fixed, it shall be surveyed and marked.[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §1818; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.24]86 Acts, ch 1245, §1983C93, §461A.24461A.25Leases and easements.1The commission may recommend that the executive council lease property under the commission’s jurisdiction. All leases shall reserve to the public of the state the right to enter upon the property leased for any lawful purpose. The council may, if it approves the recommendation and the lease to be entered into is for five years or less, execute the lease in behalf of the state and commission. If the recommendation is for a lease in excess of five years, with the exception of agricultural lands specifically dealt with in Article I, section 24 of the Constitution of the State of Iowa, the council shall advertise for bids. If a bid is accepted, the lease shall be let or executed by the council in accordance with the most desirable bid. The lease shall not be executed for a term longer than fifty years. Any such leasehold interest, including any improvements placed on it, shall be listed on the tax rolls as provided in chapters 428 and 443 and assessed and valued as provided in chapter 441; taxes shall be levied on it as provided in chapter 444 and collected as provided in chapter 445; and the leasehold interest is subject to tax sale, redemption, and apportionment of taxes as provided in chapters 446, 447, and 448. The lessee shall discharge and pay all taxes.2The commission shall adopt rules providing for granting easements to political subdivisions and utility companies on state land under the jurisdiction of the department. An applicant for an easement shall provide the director with information setting forth the need for the easement, availability of alternatives, and measures proposed to prevent or minimize adverse impacts on the affected property. An easement shall be executed by the director, approved as to form by the attorney general, and if granted for a term longer than five years, approved by the commission.3For the purposes of this section, property under the commission’s jurisdiction does not include an area of the bed of a lake or river occupied by a dock or other appurtenance or means of access to a dock, including but not limited to boat hoists and boat slips, or occupied by a boat ramp, constructed or installed and maintained under littoral or riparian rights.[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §1819; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.25]83 Acts, ch 101, §12C93, §461A.2597 Acts, ch 10, §1; 2006 Acts, ch 1102, §1; 2017 Acts, ch 54, §59461A.26Special police.The commission in carrying out its duties may appoint the director and such other supervisory personnel of the department as necessary to act as special police to carry out the law enforcement program of the department. The officers are vested with the powers and charged with the duties of peace officers while in the performance of their official duties.[C35, §1821-e1; C39, §1821.1; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.26]86 Acts, ch 1245, §1864C93, §461A.26461A.27Management by municipalities.The commission may enter into an agreement or arrangement with the board of supervisors of a county or the council of a city whereby the county or city shall undertake the care and maintenance of any lands under the jurisdiction of the commission. Counties and cities may maintain the lands and pay the expense of maintenance. A city may pay the expense from the general fund.[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §1822; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.27]83 Acts, ch 123, §57, 209C93, §461A.27461A.28Expenditure by cities.Any one or more cities may through action of its city council expend money to aid in the purchase of land within the county for state parks which, when purchased, shall be the property of the state of Iowa, to be cared for as state parks.[C27, 31, 35, §1822-a1; C39, §1822.1; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.28]C93, §461A.28461A.29Limitation on expenditures.The amount to be paid by such city or cities shall in no event exceed one-half of the total purchase price of the land involved in any single purchase, and in no event shall the total amount paid by such city or cities in any single purchase exceed the sum of fifty thousand dollars.[C27, 31, 35, §1822-a2; C39, §1822.2; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.29]C93, §461A.29461A.30City funds available.Any such city or cities aiding in the purchase of land for state parks, as provided for in sections 461A.28 and 461A.29, may pay for the same out of the general fund, or may issue bonds for the payment of the same and levy a tax for the payment of such bonds and the interest thereon, in accordance with the provisions of law relating to general corporate purpose bonds of a city.[C27, 31, 35, §1822-a3; C39, §1822.3; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.30]C93, §461A.30461A.31Sale of islands.Islands in any of the meandered streams and lakes of this state or in any of the waters bordering upon this state shall not be sold, except with the majority vote of the executive council upon the majority recommendation of the commission. In the event that any of such islands are sold as provided in this section, the proceeds of the sale shall become a part of the funds to be expended under the terms and provisions of this chapter.[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §1823; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.31]C93, §461A.312020 Acts, ch 1063, §247461A.31ASale of timber.If the estimated quantity of timber grown in a state park or a preserve to be sold by the department in a sixty-day period is ten thousand board feet or more or if the estimated value of the timber grown in a state park or a preserve to be sold by the department during the same period of time is five thousand dollars or more, the department shall conduct a public hearing on the proposed sale. Notice of the hearing shall be published as provided in section 331.305. After the public hearing, the department may proceed with the sale of the timber.99 Acts, ch 206, §27461A.32Sale of lands and structures conveyances to cities or counties.1The commission may sell or exchange such parts of public lands or structures under the jurisdiction of the commission as in its judgment may be undesirable for conservation purposes, excepting state-owned meandered lands already surveyed and platted at state expense as a conservation plan and project tentatively adopted and now in the process of rehabilitation and development authorized by a special legislative Act. The sale or exchange shall be made upon the terms, conditions, or considerations as the commission may approve, whereupon the secretary of state shall issue a patent therefor in the manner provided by law in other cases. Moneys generated from any such sale from a state park shall be deposited in the state conservation fund created in section 456A.17 and are appropriated to the department to be used exclusively for structure or infrastructure costs at the specific state park from which the moneys were generated. The proceeds of any other such sale or exchange shall become a part of the moneys to be expended under the provisions of this chapter.2Upon request by resolution of any city, county, or any legal agency of any city or county, the executive council may, upon majority recommendation of the commission, convey without consideration to such city, county, or legal agency of the city or county, such public lands under the jurisdiction of the commission as in its judgment may be desirable for city or county parks. Conveyance shall be in the name of the state, with the great seal of the state attached and shall contain a provision that when such lands cease to be used as public park by said city or county such lands revert to the state, and such park shall, within one year after such land has reverted to the state, be restored, as nearly as possible, to the condition it was in when acquired by such city, county, or legal agency of the city or county at the expense of such city, county, or legal agency.3The state may require that the city, county, or legal agency of the city or county file a notice of intention every three years.[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §1824; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.32]86 Acts, ch 1244, §25; 86 Acts, ch 1245, §1877C93, §461A.322017 Acts, ch 29, §129; 2025 Acts, ch 156, §43461A.33Form of conveyance.Conveyances shall be in the name of the state, signed by the governor and secretary of state, with the great seal of the state attached.[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §1825; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.33]C93, §461A.33461A.34Powers in municipalities.Municipalities, or individuals, or corporations organized only for the purpose of establishing a park, acting separately or in conjunction with each other, may establish parks outside the limits of cities. If a park is established without the support of the public state parks fund, the municipalities, corporations, or persons establishing the park, as the case may be, shall have control of the park independently of the executive council. However, none of the municipalities, individuals, or corporations, acting under the provisions of this section shall establish, maintain, or operate any such park as contemplated in this section for pecuniary profit.[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §1827; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.34]C93, §461A.342021 Acts, ch 80, §294461A.35Prohibited destructive acts.1Except upon the terms, conditions, limitations, and restrictions as set forth by the commission, it is unlawful for any person to use, enjoy the privileges of, destroy, injure, or deface plant life, trees, buildings, or other natural or material property; to construct or operate for private or commercial purposes any structure; to remove any plant life, trees, buildings, sand, gravel, ice, earth, stone, wood, or other natural material; or to operate vehicles within the boundaries of any state park, preserve, or stream or any other lands or waters under the jurisdiction of the commission for any purpose whatsoever.2A person who violates this section commits a simple misdemeanor, punishable as a scheduled violation pursuant to section 805.8B, subsection 6, paragraph “c”.[C39, §1828.01; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.35]86 Acts, ch 1245, §1877C93, §461A.352012 Acts, ch 1118, §1; 2023 Acts, ch 66, §106461A.35AEntrance fee.The department shall not impose a fee upon a person for entering into a state park or preserve.99 Acts, ch 206, §28, 29461A.36Speed limit.The maximum speed limit of all vehicles on state park and preserve drives, roads, and highways shall be thirty-five miles per hour. All driving shall be confined to designated roadways. Whenever the commission determines that a thirty-five mile-per-hour speed limit is greater than is reasonable or safe under the conditions found to exist at any place of congestion or upon any part of the park roads, drives, or highways, the commission shall determine and declare a reasonable and safe speed limit, which shall be effective when appropriate signs giving notice of the changed speed limit are erected at the places of congestion or other parts of the park roads, drives, or highways.[C39, §1828.02; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.36]86 Acts, ch 1245, §1877C93, §461A.362016 Acts, ch 1073, §131461A.37Excessive loads.Excessively loaded vehicles shall not operate over state park or preserve drives, roads or highways. The determination as to whether the load is excessive will be made by the director or the director’s representative and will depend upon the load and the road conditions.[C39, §1828.03; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.37]86 Acts, ch 1245, §1878C93, §461A.37461A.38Parking.All vehicles shall be parked in designated parking areas, and no vehicle shall be left unattended on any state park or preserve drive, road or highway, except in the case of an emergency.[C39, §1828.04; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.38]C93, §461A.38461A.39Hitching to trees.No horse or other animal shall be hitched or tied to any tree or shrub, or in such a manner as to result in injury to state property.[C39, §1828.05; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.39]C93, §461A.39461A.40Fires.No fires shall be built, except in a place provided therefor, and such fire shall be extinguished when site is vacated unless it is immediately used by some other party.[C39, §1828.06; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.40]C93, §461A.40461A.41Removing plants, flowers, or fruit.1No person shall, in any manner, remove, destroy, injure, or deface any tree, shrub, plant, or flower, or the fruit thereof, or disturb or injure any structure or natural attraction, except that upon written permission of the commission certain specimens may be removed for scientific purposes.2This section shall not apply to activities of the commission or its officers, or employees when caring for and managing state-owned land and waters under the jurisdiction of the commission. This section shall not apply to the gathering or removal of any tree, shrub, plant, flower, fruits, structures, or natural attractions under terms, conditions, limitations, and restrictions adopted by the commission as rules under chapter 17A.[C39, §1828.07; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.41]86 Acts, ch 1245, §1877C93, §461A.41461A.42Use of firearms, explosives, weapons, and fireworks prohibited — exceptions.1The use of firearms, explosives, and weapons of all kinds by a person is prohibited in all state parks and preserves except under the following conditions:aA firearm or other weapon authorized for hunting may be used in preserves or parts of preserves designated by the department at the request of the commission.bA person may use a bow and arrow with an attached bow fishing reel and ninety-pound minimum line attached to the arrow to take rough fish as provided by rule of the commission.cThe commission may establish, by rule, the state parks or parts of state parks where firearms may be discharged during special events, festivals and education programs, or a special hunt to control animal populations. The rules governing special hunts to control animal populations shall be applied separately to each designated state park.2The use of consumer fireworks or display fireworks, as defined in section 727.2, in state parks and preserves is prohibited except as authorized by a permit issued by the department. The commission shall establish, by rule adopted pursuant to chapter 17A, a fireworks permit system which authorizes the issuance of a limited number of permits to qualified persons to use or display fireworks in selected state parks and preserves.3A person violating this section is guilty of a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation pursuant to section 805.8B, subsection 6, paragraph “c”. [C39, §1828.08; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.42]86 Acts, ch 1245, §1877; 91 Acts, ch 101, §1C93, §461A.4297 Acts, ch 180, §1; 99 Acts, ch 153, §10; 2012 Acts, ch 1118, §2; 2017 Acts, ch 115, §9, 12; 2024 Acts, ch 1170, §333461A.43Littering grounds.No person shall place any waste, refuse, litter or foreign substance in any area or receptacle except those provided for that purpose.[C39, §1828.09; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.43]C93, §461A.43461A.44Prohibited areas.No person shall enter upon portions of any state park or preserve in disregard of official signs forbidding entrance upon park or preserve property, except by permission of the director or the director’s representative.[C39, §1828.10; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.44]86 Acts, ch 1245, §1878C93, §461A.442021 Acts, ch 80, §295461A.45Animals on leash.No privately owned animal shall be allowed to run at large in any state park or preserve or upon lands or in waters owned by or under the jurisdiction of the commission except by permission of the commission. Every such animal shall be deemed as running at large unless the owner carries such animal or leads it by a leash or chain not exceeding six feet in length, or keeps it confined in or attached to a vehicle.[C39, §1828.11; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.45]C93, §461A.45461A.46Closing time.Except by arrangement or permission granted by the director or the director’s authorized representative, all persons shall vacate state parks and preserves before 10:30 p.m. Areas may be closed at an earlier or later hour, of which notice shall be given by proper signs or instructions. The provisions of this section shall not apply to authorized camping in areas provided for that purpose.[C39, §1828.12; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.46]C93, §461A.46461A.47Camping.Repealed by 2018 Acts, ch 1129, §2; . See §455A.14.461A.48Camping areas.No person shall camp in any portion of a state park or preserve except in portions prescribed or designated by the commission.[C39, §1828.14; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.48]C93, §461A.48461A.49Time limit.No camping unit shall be permitted to camp for a period longer than that designated by the commission for the specific state park or preserve, and in no event longer than for a period of two weeks.[C39, §1828.15; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.49]C93, §461A.49461A.50Registering — vacating.Any person who camps in any state park or preserve shall register the person’s name and address with the park custodian and advise the custodian when the camp is vacated.[C39, §1828.16; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.50]C93, §461A.50461A.51Camping refused.Custodians are given authority to refuse camping privileges and to rescind any and all camping permits for cause.[C39, §1828.17; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.51]C93, §461A.51IIICE, SAND, AND GRAVEL REMOVAL461A.52Agreement with commission.No person shall remove any ice, sand, gravel, stone, wood, or other natural material from any lands or waters under the jurisdiction of the commission without first entering into an agreement with the commission.[C39, §1828.18; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.52]C93, §461A.52461A.53Permits.1The commission may enter into agreements for the removal of ice, sand, gravel, stone, wood, or other natural material from lands or waters under the jurisdiction of the commission if, after investigation, it is determined that such removal will not be detrimental to the state’s interest.2The commission may specify the terms and consideration under which such removal is permitted and issue written permits for such removal.[C39, §1828.19; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.53]C93, §461A.532010 Acts, ch 1160, §1, 2461A.54Barriers on ice field.Any person removing ice under a permit shall erect barriers on any part of an ice field where ice is cut, where said field crosses or traverses any part of a stream or lake that is used as a way of passage.[C39, §1828.20; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.54]C93, §461A.54461A.55Dredging.In removing sand, gravel, or other material from state-owned waters by dredging, the operator shall so arrange the operator’s equipment that other users of the lake or stream shall not be endangered by cables, anchors, or any concealed equipment. No waste material shall be left in the water in such manner as to endanger other craft or to change the course of any stream.[C39, §1828.21; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.55]C93, §461A.55461A.56Disturbing natural bank.Where operations are entirely on private property adjacent to a public lake or stream the natural bank between the state and privately owned areas shall not be removed except by permission of the commission.[C39, §1828.22; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.56]C93, §461A.56461A.57Penalties.Unless another punishment is provided, any person violating any of the provisions of sections 461A.36 through 461A.41, 461A.43, and 461A.45 through 461A.56 is guilty of a simple misdemeanor.[C39, §1828.23; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.57]85 Acts, ch 206, §2C93, §461A.572012 Acts, ch 1118, §3; 2015 Acts, ch 30, §142IIIMAINTENANCE EQUIPMENT461A.58Use by cities and state department of transportation.The city council within the limits of the municipal corporation and the state department of transportation may permit use of maintenance equipment under their control in state parks and other lands of the commission.[C58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, S81, §111.58; 81 Acts, ch 117, §1011]86 Acts, ch 1245, §1877C93, §461A.58IVWATER RECREATIONAL AREAS461A.59Powers in municipalities.Municipalities or corporations organized only for the purpose of establishing a water recreational area, acting separately or in conjunction with each other in counties not having a county conservation board, may establish water recreational areas. If a water recreational area is established without the support of public funds of the state of Iowa, the municipalities or corporations establishing the water recreational area, as the case may be, shall have control of the water recreational area independently of the executive council.[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.59]C93, §461A.592021 Acts, ch 80, §296461A.60Application for permit.Any municipality or corporation seeking to establish a water recreational area without public funds of the state of Iowa shall file with the commission a verified petition asking for a permit to establish a water recreational area.[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.60]86 Acts, ch 1245, §1877C93, §461A.60461A.61Petition.A petition filed under section 461A.60 shall state:1The name of the municipality or corporation.2The applicant’s principal office and place of business.3A legal description of the lands to be included within said water recreational area, a showing that seventy-five percent of the area is either owned or under option for purchase by the applicant, together with a map thereof.4A general description of the public and private highways, grounds and real estate, streams and private lands of any kind within said area.5The tentative locations, types of dams to be constructed for any artificial lakes to be established, the proposed area to be inundated by the waters to be impounded by said dams, and a map showing the location of said dams and areas to be inundated.6A map showing the location of proposed roads, fixtures, utilities and other facilities necessary in the operation of said water recreational area.7The proposed plan of operation and regulations for the use of said facilities by the public.[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.61]C93, §461A.612021 Acts, ch 80, §297461A.62Copy to environmental protection commission.A copy of the petition and the applications, plans, and specifications required under chapter 455B shall be filed with the environmental protection commission and any approval or permit required under chapter 455B shall be obtained prior to the establishment of the water recreational area or the granting of a permit for the area by the commission.[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.62; 82 Acts, ch 1199, §57, 96]83 Acts, ch 101, §13; 86 Acts, ch 1245, §1865C93, §461A.62461A.63Hearing — notice.On the filing of said petition the commission shall fix a date for hearing thereon and shall cause notice thereof to be published in some newspaper of general circulation in each county in which said proposed water recreational area will be established, said notice to be published for two consecutive weeks.[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.63]86 Acts, ch 1245, §1877C93, §461A.63461A.64Time and place.The hearing under section 461A.63 shall be held not less than ten days nor more than thirty days from the date of the last publication of the notice in the office of the commission or such other place as the commission shall decide.[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.64]86 Acts, ch 1245, §1877C93, §461A.642023 Acts, ch 66, §107461A.65Objections.Any person, corporation, company, levee or drainage district, or city whose rights or interests may be affected by a proposed water recreational area may file written objections to the proposed water recreational area or to the granting of a permit for the proposed water recreational area.[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.65]C93, §461A.652022 Acts, ch 1021, §112461A.66Filing.All objections under section 461A.65 shall be on file in the office of the commission not less than five days before the date of hearing on the application. The commission may permit the filing of objections later than five days before the hearing, in which event the applicant must be granted a reasonable time to meet the objections.[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.66]86 Acts, ch 1245, §1877C93, §461A.662022 Acts, ch 1021, §113461A.67Examination — testimony.The commission may examine the proposed water recreational area or may cause such examination to be made by an engineer or such other persons as it desires to be selected by it, who shall report the results of said examination to the commission. At said hearing the commission shall consider the petition and any objections filed thereto and may at its discretion hear such testimony as may aid it in determining the propriety of granting such permit.[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.67]86 Acts, ch 1245, §1877C93, §461A.67461A.68Final order condition.The commission may grant such permit in whole or in part upon such terms, conditions, and restrictions as may be determined by the commission to be just and proper and in the public interest. However, before any permit shall be granted to any such municipality or corporation, the commission shall, after public hearing as provided in this subchapter, determine whether the water recreational area will be in the interests of the public health and welfare and an affirmative finding to such effect shall be a condition precedent to the granting of such permit.[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.68]C93, §461A.682017 Acts, ch 29, §130461A.69Costs and fees.Applicant shall pay all costs and expenses of the hearing and necessary preliminary investigation in connection therewith, including the cost of publishing notice of hearing.[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.69]C93, §461A.69461A.70Permit.The commission shall cause to be prepared a uniform blank form of permit which shall provide a space for a general description of the area authorized to be included in any water recreational area to be established hereunder, the name and address of the municipality or corporation to whom said permit is granted and the terms and conditions upon which it is granted. Said permit shall be signed by the chairperson and all other members of the commission and the official seal of said commission shall be attached thereto.[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.70]86 Acts, ch 1245, §1877C93, §461A.70461A.71Public access and use.Any lake in the water recreational area, together with at least twenty-five percent of the water frontage of the water recreational area and all land which adjoins and lies within one hundred yards from any point of such twenty-five percent of the water frontage, shall be permanently subject to and available for free public access and use. The municipality or corporation shall grant to the state of Iowa a perpetual easement for such public access and use, and such easement shall not be impaired or destroyed in whole or in part by nonuse. Before a permit is granted as provided in section 461A.70, the commission and the municipality or corporation shall agree on the location and description of such water frontage and land to be permanently subject to and available for free public access and use, and such location and description shall be stated in the permit. However, in lieu of the foregoing procedure, the commission and the municipality or corporation may agree that the commission may select such water frontage and land after the permit is granted, and the permit shall so state. At any time the commission, with the written consent of the municipality or corporation, may designate any additional land within the water recreational area to be permanently subject to and available for free public access and use; and the municipality or corporation shall grant to the state of Iowa a perpetual easement for such public access and use, which easement shall not be impaired or destroyed in whole or in part by nonuse. However, the commission may enter into agreements from time to time with one or more municipalities or corporations for the management, development, improvement, care, and maintenance of such lake, water frontage, and land.[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.71]86 Acts, ch 1245, §1877C93, §461A.71461A.72Sale of permit.No permit shall be sold until the sale is approved by the commission.[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.72]C93, §461A.72461A.73Records.The commission shall keep a record of all permits granted and issued by it showing when and to whom issued and the location of the area of the proposed water recreational area covered thereby.[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.73]86 Acts, ch 1245, §1877C93, §461A.73461A.74Extension of permit.Any municipality or corporation owning a permit granted under this subchapter, which desires to acquire an extension of the permit, may petition the commission in the same manner provided for the granting of the permit and the same proceeding shall be had on the extension petition as on an original application.[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.74]C93, §461A.742017 Acts, ch 29, §131461A.75Condemnation of land.Whenever a permit has been granted as provided in section 461A.70 and the commission finds that the municipality or corporation owning such permit cannot acquire at a reasonable cost any necessary land or interest therein, the commission, with the approval of the executive council, may condemn such land or interest therein as provided in chapter 6B. However, such condemnation shall be limited to land and interests therein which will be permanently subject to and available for free public access and use, as provided in section 461A.71, or which will be required for a dam or other facilities necessary for the water recreational area. All costs of such condemnation, including all costs occasioned by appeal as set out in section 6B.33, and including the award and compensation for such land or interest therein, shall be paid by such municipality or corporation. The commission may permit such municipality or corporation to use such land or interest therein for the purposes of this subchapter, upon such terms, conditions and restrictions as the commission shall determine to be just and proper and for free public access and use. Title to such land or interest therein shall remain in the state of Iowa.[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.75]86 Acts, ch 1245, §1877C93, §461A.752014 Acts, ch 1026, §143461A.76Contracts with local authorities.1Notwithstanding anything in chapter 468, subchapter I, parts 1 through 5, to the contrary, county boards of supervisors and trustees having control of any levee or drainage district established thereunder, including joint levee or drainage districts, may enter into contracts and agreements with municipalities or corporations authorized to establish water recreational areas under the provisions of this subchapter. Such contracts or agreements shall be in writing and may be made prior to or after the establishment of a water recreational area. If made prior to the establishment of a water recreational area they may be made conditional upon the final establishment of such area and if conditional upon such final establishment may be entered into prior to the hearing provided for in section 461A.63.2Such contracts or agreements may embrace any of the following subjects:aFor the impoundment of drainage waters to create artificial lakes or ponds.bFor compensation to drainage districts for drainage improvements destroyed or rendered useless by the establishment of water recreational areas and the structures, waters, or works thereof.cFor the diversion of waters from established drainage ditches or tile drains to other channels.dFor sanitary measures and precautions.eFor the control of water levels in lakes, ponds or impoundments of water to avoid damage to or malfunction of drainage facilities.fFor the construction of additional drainage facilities promoting the interests of either or both of the contracting parties.gFor the granting of easements or licenses by one party to the other.hFor the payment of money by one contracting party to the other in consideration of acts or performance of the other party required by such contract or agreement.3When any expenditure of levee or drainage district funds is proposed by the authority contained in this section and where the estimated expenditure will exceed fifty percent of the original total cost of the district and subsequent improvements therein as defined by section 468.126, the same procedure respecting notice and hearing shall be followed as is provided in said section 468.126, for repair proposals where the estimated cost of the repair exceeds fifty percent of the original total cost of the district and subsequent improvements therein.[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.76]C93, §461A.762011 Acts, ch 34, §106; 2014 Acts, ch 1026, §143461A.77Prohibited near borders of state.In order to reduce the possibility of affecting conservation measures to flood control projects which may be in progress in other states, water recreational areas shall not be established under this subchapter within seventy miles of the border of any other state.[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.77]C93, §461A.772020 Acts, ch 1063, §248461A.78Method not exclusive.This subchapter shall not be the exclusive method for establishing a water recreational area.[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §111.78]91 Acts, ch 246, §4C93, §461A.782014 Acts, ch 1026, §143; 2021 Acts, ch 48, §3VPUBLIC OUTDOOR RECREATION AND RESOURCES461A.79Public outdoor recreation and resources.Repealed by 2024 Acts, ch 1170, §368.461A.80Public outdoor recreation and resources advisory council.Repealed by 2024 Acts, ch 1170, §368.VISTATE LANDS VOLUNTEER PROGRAM461A.81State lands volunteer program liability.The department shall establish a state lands volunteer program to authorize nonprofit organizations, and individuals providing services on behalf of the nonprofit organizations, to provide, at no compensation, volunteer services for the benefit of state parks and recreation areas, state game and forest areas, or other lands under the jurisdiction of the department of natural resources. The department shall adopt rules governing the administration of the program to include eligibility requirements for nonprofit organizations participating in the program and provisions governing approved volunteer duties or services. Nonprofit organizations, and individuals providing services on behalf of nonprofit organizations, authorized to provide volunteer services for no compensation by the department pursuant to this section shall be considered state volunteers and afforded the same protections as provided in section 669.24 while performing approved volunteer duties or services on state lands, as described in this section, as a volunteer.2014 Acts, ch 1046, §1