Iowa Code 314.23 – Environmental protection
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.
Terms Used In Iowa Code 314.23
- following: when used by way of reference to a chapter or other part of a statute mean the next preceding or next following chapter or other part. See Iowa Code 4.1
- highway: means the entire width between property lines of every way or place of whatever nature when any part thereof is open to the use of the public, as a matter of right, for purposes of vehicular travel, except in public areas in which the boundary shall be thirty-three feet each side of the center line of the roadway. See Iowa Code 321I.1
- state: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the territories, and the words "United States" may include the said district and territories. See Iowa Code 4.1
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.
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.
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.