314.23 Environmental protection.
It is declared to be in the general public welfare of Iowa and a highway purpose that highway maintenance, construction, reconstruction, and repair shall protect and preserve, by not causing unnecessary destruction, the natural or historic heritage of the state. In order to provide for the protection and preservation, the following shall be accomplished in the design, construction, reconstruction, relocation, repair, or maintenance of roads, streets, and highways:
1. Woodlands. Woodland removed shall be replaced by plantings as close as possible to the initial site, or by acquisition of an equal amount of woodland in the general vicinity for public ownership and preservation, or by other mitigation deemed to be comparable to the woodland removed, including, but not limited to, the improvement, development, or preservation of woodland under public ownership.
2. Wetlands. Wetland removed shall be replaced by acquisition of wetland, in the same general vicinity if possible, for public ownership and preservation, or by other mitigation deemed to be comparable to the wetland removed, including, but not limited to, the improvement, development, or preservation of wetland under public ownership.
3. Public parks. Highways, streets, and roads constructed on or through publicly owned lands comprising parks, preserves, or recreation areas, shall be located and designed, in consultation with the public entity owning the land, so as to blend aesthetically with the areas and to minimize noise. When land is taken from the areas for highway construction and if, in consultation with the public entity owning the land, mitigation is deemed necessary, the land shall be replaced by an equal or greater amount for public use, or by other mitigation, undertaken in consultation with the public entity owning the land, and deemed to be appropriate to the amount of land taken, including, but not limited to, the improvement, development, or preservation of the areas.
4. Prime agricultural lands. Topsoil removed may be utilized for landscaping and other necessary construction. Excess topsoil shall be made available to the former landowner or other landowners whose land was purchased for the construction or others, and if not acquired by one of these parties, it may be disposed of.
89 Acts, ch 311, §26; 2019 Acts, ch 24, §43
Structure Iowa Code
Chapter 314 - ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS FOR HIGHWAYS
Section 314.1 - Bidding procedures — basis for awarding contracts.
Section 314.1A - Detailed cost accountings by cities and counties — rules.
Section 314.1B - Bid threshold subcommittees — adjustments — notice.
Section 314.2 - Interest in contract prohibited.
Section 314.3 - Claims — approval and payment.
Section 314.4 - Partial payments.
Section 314.5 - Extensions in certain cities.
Section 314.6 - Highways along city limits.
Section 314.7 - Trees — ingress or egress — drainage.
Section 314.8 - Government markers preserved.
Section 314.9 - Entering private property.
Section 314.10 - State-line highways.
Section 314.11 - Use of bridges by utility companies.
Section 314.12 - Borrow pits — topsoil preserved.
Section 314.12A - Preservation of topsoil in highway construction.
Section 314.13A - Contract assessment — socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.
Section 314.14 - Contracts set aside for small businesses.
Section 314.15 - Disadvantaged business enterprises — rules.
Section 314.16 - Interstate 80 — route designation.
Section 314.17 - Mowing on interstates, primary highways, and secondary roads.
Section 314.18 - Responsibility for bridge inspection.
Section 314.19 - Reseeding open ditches.
Section 314.20 - Utility easements on highway right-of-way.
Section 314.21 - Living roadway trust fund.
Section 314.22 - Integrated roadside vegetation management.
Section 314.23 - Environmental protection.
Section 314.24 - Natural and historic preservation.
Section 314.25 - Green space provided.
Section 314.26 - Schwengel Bridge.
Section 314.27 - Refreshments at rest areas on certain holidays.
Section 314.28 - Keep Iowa beautiful fund.
Section 314.29 - Dick Drake Way.
Section 314.30 - Cattle guards.
Section 314.31 - Iowa medal of honor highway — signs purchased and installed by private entities.