Public Lands and Waters (Iowa Code: Title XI - Natural Resources; Chapter 461A) Country/Territory United States of America Territorial subdivision Iowa Document type Legislation Date 2018 Source FAO, FAOLEX Subject Land & soil, Water Keyword Public land Protected area Protection of environment Local government Institution Ecosystem preservation Geographical area Americas, Arctic, East Pacific, North America, North Atlantic Abstract This chapter of the Iowa Code concerns public lands and waters. It provides that the natural resource commission shall investigate places in Iowa rich in natural history, forest reserves, archaeological specimens, and geological deposits; and the means of promoting forestry and maintaining and preserving animal and bird life and the conservation of the natural resources of the state. It shall be the duty of the commission to establish, maintain, improve, and beautify public parks and preserves upon the shores of lakes, streams, or other waters, or at other places within the state which have become historical or which are of scientific interest, or which by reason of their natural scenic beauty or location are adapted therefor. The commission shall have the power to maintain, improve or beautify state-owned bodies of water, and to provide proper public access thereto. The commission shall have the power to provide and operate facilities for the proper public use of the areas above described. The chapter further provides for ice, sand, and gravel removal; water recreational areas; public outdoor recreation and resources; and the state lands volunteer program. Municipalities or corporations organized for that purpose only, acting separately or in conjunction with each other in counties not having a county conservation board, may establish water recreational areas and when established without the support of public funds of the state of Iowa, the municipalities or corporations establishing the same, as the case may be, shall have control thereof independently of the executive council. Full text English Website www.legis.iowa.gov