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Iowa Code Title XI. Natural Resources [Chs. 455-485] § 460.202. Preventing surface water drainage into agricultural drainage wells

Current as of January 01, 2024 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

Not later than December 31, 2001, all of the following shall apply:

1. a. An owner of land on which an agricultural drainage well is located shall prevent surface water from draining into the agricultural drainage well. The landowner shall comply with rules, which shall be adopted by the department, in consultation with the division, required to carry out this section. The landowner shall do all of the following:

(1) If the land has a surface water intake emptying into an agricultural drainage well, including a surface water intake located in a road ditch, the landowner shall remove the surface water intake.

(2) If the land has a cistern connecting to an agricultural drainage well, the landowner shall construct and maintain sidewalls surrounding the cistern in order to prevent surface water runoff directly emptying into the agricultural drainage well.

(3) If the land has an agricultural drainage well, the landowner shall ensure that the agricultural drainage well and related drainage system are adequately ventilated in a manner that does not allow surface water to directly drain into the agricultural drainage well.

(4) The landowner shall install a locked cover over the agricultural drainage well or its cistern in order to prevent unauthorized access to the agricultural drainage well or its cistern.

b. This subsection does not require a person to remove a tile line that drains into an agricultural drainage well if the tile line does not have a surface water intake. This subsection also does not prohibit a person from installing a tile line, if the installed tile line does not increase an agricultural drainage well area.

2. An agricultural drainage well shall be inspected to ensure compliance with this section, as required by the county board of supervisors in the county in which the agricultural drainage well is located.

3. The department shall adopt guidelines as necessary to assist counties in performing inspections as provided in this section. The guidelines shall not affect the authority of a county to designate a person to perform inspections.

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Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Iowa Code Title XI. Natural Resources [Chs. 455-485] § 460.202. Preventing surface water drainage into agricultural drainage wells - last updated January 01, 2024 | https://codes.findlaw.com/ia/title-xi-natural-resources-chs-455-485/ia-code-sect-460-202/

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