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Show IOWA 311 The Hines-Shantz study should be examined for specific recom- mendations for the improvement of the Iowa pollution control pro- gram. The study was aimed primarily at determining the present quality of the State's waters. The authors' conclusions in this regard are quite optimistic. Problems persist, however, in connection with streams with periods of low flow and with pollution from runoff from agricultural land. Municipal and industrial pollution has been controlled quite well, although it is noted that continuous regulation in the future may be a problem. In addition to recommending legis- lative reorganization which would coordinate and centralize all en- vironmental protection programs, the authors make some specific suggestions with respect to the administration of the permit system. B. OTHER PUBLIC WATER AGENCIES Levee and drainage districts may be organized as political sub- divisions of the State to construct improvements for the drainage of surface waters or to protect land from flooding.40 These districts are of two types. They may be formed by petition in which case the county board requires an extensive engineering report prior to the establishment of the district. Districts may also be established by the unanimous agreement of all landowners in the district. Thousands of drainage districts have been established, particularly in the central and north-central parts of the State. Many have been relatively inactive since the completion of the construction originally contemplated. The cost of maintaining the districts is defrayed by special assessments on all landowners within the districts on a bene- fits-received basis. In determining the assessment, each 40-acre tract is assessed according to the benefits it will receive in relation to the tracts which will receive the highest benefit from the improvement.41 Soil conservation districts may also be organized by a referendum of landowners in the district.42 Participation in the program is purely voluntary. The districts themselves have no taxing powers and no authority to enforce land use regulations. Financial assistance to the districts is provided by biennial legislative appropriations, administered by a State agency. Also, the county board of super- visors may levy a quarter-mill tax on agricultural lands within the county. Subdistricts were authorized by the legislature in 1955. In 1971, the legislature divided the State into six conservancy districts which were established as political subdivisions of the State.48 Charged with the responsibility of preserving and protecting the interest of the State in its soil and water resources, the districts' functions include flood control, control of erosion, and the preserva- tion of water quality for agricultural, irrigation, recreational, in- dustrial, and domestic purposes. The governing body of each district is the State soil conservation committee.44 The legislation is designed *° Ch. 455. 41 Sec. 455.46. There are many cases construing the section but see particularly Chicago & N.W. Ry. v. Dreesen, 243 Iowa 396, 52 N.W. 2d 34 (1952) ; Raach v. Drainage Diat. No. 10,198 Iowa 31.199 N.W. 168 (1924). 42 Ch. 467A ; 467C (soil conservation and flood control districts). « Sees. 467D.1 to 467D.24. " See sec. 467A.4. |
