Iowa Code Title XI. Natural Resources [Chs. 455-485] § 458A.1. Declaration of policy

It is declared to be in the public interest to foster, to encourage, and to promote the development, production, and utilization of natural resources of oil and gas and metallic minerals in the state in such a manner as will prevent waste; to authorize and to provide for the operation and development of oil and gas and metallic minerals properties in such a manner that a greater ultimate recovery of oil and gas and metallic minerals be had and that the correlative rights of all owners be fully protected; and to encourage and to authorize such measures as will result in the greatest possible economic recovery of oil and gas and metallic minerals within the state to the end that the landowners, the royalty owners, the producers, and the general public realize and enjoy the greatest possible good from these vital natural resources. It is further declared that the general welfare of the people requires that the underground and surface water of the state be protected from pollution and conserved in the best interests of the people of the state.