456A.33C On-stream impoundment restoration fund.
1. For purposes of this section, unless the context otherwise requires, “eligible water body” means a body of water that meets all of the following criteria:
a. Is owned by the state of Iowa, a county, a municipal government, or a public entity organized under chapter 357E.
b. Is a multi-use system capable of supporting diverse wildlife, fish, and recreational opportunities.
c. Has a surface water area of at least ten acres.
d. Has a watershed-to-body of water ratio of not less than two hundred to one and not more than one thousand to one.
e. Is a public body of water with public access.
f. Has diverse water depths and is capable of supporting aquatic vegetation.
g. Is not used solely as a water supply reservoir.
2. An on-stream impoundment restoration fund is created in the state treasury under the control of the department. The fund shall consist of all moneys appropriated to the fund.
3. a. Moneys in the on-stream impoundment restoration fund are appropriated to the department subject to the requirements of this section for purposes of funding projects for the maintenance, restoration, and sustainability of eligible water bodies and their related watersheds.
b. The department shall fund projects from the on-stream impoundment restoration fund for eligible water bodies that are designed to achieve the following goals:
(1) Ensure a cost-effective, positive return on investment for the citizens of Iowa.
(2) Ensure local community commitment to watershed protection.
(3) Ensure significant improvement in water clarity, safety, and quality.
(4) Provide for sustainable, healthy, and functioning bodies of water.
(5) Contribute to the department’s fish and wildlife conservation plans.
c. The process and criteria the department shall utilize to fund projects under this section shall favor proposals which include nonstate matching funds of at least one dollar for every dollar of state funding, and funding for watershed improvement practices and participation of corresponding watershed management authority.
4. Notwithstanding section 12C.7, subsection 2, interest or earnings on moneys deposited in the on-stream impoundment restoration fund shall be credited to the on-stream impoundment restoration fund. Notwithstanding section 8.33, moneys credited to the on-stream impoundment restoration fund that remain unobligated and unencumbered at the close of a fiscal year shall not revert.
2019 Acts, ch 89, §15; 2019 Acts, ch 137, §18
Referred to in §456A.30