Iowa Code Title XI. Natural Resources [Chs. 455-485] § 479B.25. Arbitration agreements

1. If an easement or other written agreement between a landowner and a pipeline company provides for the determination through arbitration of the amount of monetary damages sustained by a landowner and caused by the construction, maintenance, or repair of a pipeline or underground storage facility, and if either party has not appointed its arbitrator or agreed to an arbitrator under the agreement within thirty days after the other party has invoked the arbitration provisions of the agreement by written notice to the other party by restricted certified mail, the landowner or the pipeline company may petition a magistrate in the county where the real property is located for the appointment of an arbitrator to serve in the stead of the arbitrator who would have been appointed or agreed to by the other party. Before filing the petition the landowner or pipeline company shall give notice of the petitioning of the magistrate by restricted certified mail to the other party and file proof of mailing with the petition.

2. If after hearing, the magistrate finds that the landowner or pipeline company has not been diligent in appointing or reasonable in agreeing to an arbitrator, the magistrate shall appoint an impartial arbitrator who shall have all of the powers and duties of an arbitrator appointed or agreed to by the other party under the agreement.

3. For purposes of this section only, “landowner” means the person who signed the easement or other written agreement, or the person's heirs, successors, and assigns.