455B.199 Water resource restoration sponsor program.

1. The department shall establish and administer a water resource restoration sponsor program to assist in enhancing water quality in the state through the provision of financial assistance to communities for a variety of impairment-based, locally directed watershed projects.

2. For purposes of this section, unless the context otherwise requires:

a. “Qualified entity” means the same as defined in section 384.84.

b. “Sponsor project” means a water resource restoration project as defined in section 384.80.

3. Moneys in the water pollution control works revolving loan fund created in section 455B.295, and the drinking water facilities revolving loan fund created in section 455B.295, shall be used for the water resource restoration sponsor program. The department shall establish on an annual basis the percentage of moneys available for the sponsor program from the funds.

4. The interest rate on the loan under the program for communities participating in a sponsor project shall be set at a level that requires the community to pay not more than the amount the community would have paid if they did not participate in a sponsor project.

5. Not more than ninety percent of the projected interest payments on bonds issued under section 384.84 or the total cost of the sponsor project shall be advanced to the community, whichever is lower.

6. A proposed sponsor project must be compatible with the goals of the water resource restoration sponsor program, shall include the application of best management practices for the primary purpose of water quality protection and improvement, and may include but not be limited to any of the following:

a. Riparian buffer acquisition, enhancement, expansion, or restoration.

b. Conservation easements.

c. Riparian zone or wetland buffer extension or restoration.

d. Wetland restoration in conjunction with an adjoining high-quality water resource.

e. Stream bank stabilization and natural channel design techniques.

f. In-stream habitat enhancements and dam removals.

g. Practices related to water quality or water quality protection that are included in a field office technical guide published by the natural resources conservation service of the United States department of agriculture or are included in the Iowa stormwater management manual published by the department of natural resources.

7. A proposed sponsor project shall not include any of the following:

a. Passive recreation activities and trails including bike trails, playgrounds, soccer fields, picnic tables, and picnic grounds.

b. Parking lots, unless a parking lot is constructed in a manner to improve water quality and construction is consistent with a field office technical guide published by the natural resources conservation service of the United States department of agriculture or the Iowa stormwater management manual published by the department of natural resources.

c. Diverse habitat creation contrary to the botanical history of the area.

d. Planting of nonnative plant species.

e. Dredging.

f. Supplemental environmental projects required as a part of a consent decree.

8. A sponsor project must be approved by the department prior to participating in the water resource restoration sponsor program.

9. A resolution by the city council must be approved and included as part of an application for the water resource restoration sponsor program. After approval of the project, the city council shall enter into an agreement pursuant to chapter 28E with the qualified entity who shall implement the project.

10. A water resource restoration project shall not include the acquisition of property, an interest in property, or improvements to property through condemnation.

11. The commission shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A necessary for the administration of this section.

2009 Acts, ch 72, §7; 2013 Acts, ch 53, §1, 2

Referred to in §16.151, 455B.295, 461.34, 466B.44