FYI

Representative Lisa Heddens

STATEHOUSE NEWS

April 10, 2008

 

GOVERNOR SIGNS THREE ENVIRONMENTAL BILLS

   

    This past week, the Governor signed three bills designed to protect Iowa’s natural resources.  All three bills take effect on July 1, 2008.

 

Surface Water Protection

    House File 2400, known as the Surface Water Protection Act, creates a Water Resources Coordinating Council within the Governor’s Office to preserve and protect Iowa’s water resources and coordinate efforts throughout the state. 

 

    The success of the council’s efforts will ultimately be measured by whether Iowa citizens can more easily organize local watershed projects; can more easily access available funds and water quality program resources; and whether the funds, programs, and regulatory efforts coordinated by the council eventually result in a long-term improvement to the quality of surface water in Iowa.

 

    The Surface Water Protection Act calls for 56 regional watershed assessments to be completed in five years, providing a summary of the overall condition of Iowa’s watersheds.  In addition, smaller community-based subwatershed improvement plans are to be developed and implemented, including monitoring plans. 

 

    The bill also requires the Department of Natural Resources to assess and prioritize both sewered and unsewered communities within a watershed presenting the greatest level of risk to water quality and the health of residents.

 

Solid Waste Disposal

    House File 2570 establishes the designation of an Environmental Management System (EMS), to encourage responsible environmental management and solid waste disposal and to enhance efforts to promote environmental stewardship.

 

    To qualify for designation as an EMS, a solid waste planning area must actively pursue all of the following: yard waste management, hazardous household waste collection, water quality improvement, greenhouse gas reduction, recycling services, and environmental education.

 

    A Solid Waste Alternatives Program Advisory Council is established, which is required to consider solid waste management plans submitted by the solid waste planning areas and make recommendations for designation as an EMS to the Environmental Protection Commission (EPC).

 

    House File 2570 also establishes the Comprehensive Recycling Planning Task Force, which will study and make recommendations for the planning and implementation of comprehensive statewide recycling programs, including an evaluation of the current beverage container control law, known as the Bottle Bill.  The task force must submit a written report containing its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature by January 1, 2009.

 

Septic Tank Inspections

    Senate File 261 requires that private sewage disposal systems must be inspected prior to when the property is sold or transferred.  Currently in Iowa, at least 21 counties have adopted the requirement that private sewage disposal systems must be inspected when the property is sold or transferred.

 

    At the time of inspection, any septic tank, as part of the sewage disposal system, must be opened and have the contents pumped out and disposed.  However, the owner may provide evidence that the septic tank was pumped out within the previous year. 

 

    After the inspection, the DNR inspection form and any related reports must be submitted to the county for enforcement of any mandatory follow up system improvements, and to DNR to be kept for record.