Public land grazing could be allowed

Gov. Chet Culver on Thursday announced steps that the Iowa Departments of Natural Resources and Transportation are taking to assist farmers affected by this year's flooding and severe weather.

The governor said he will encourage the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to consider the value of haying and grazing as an alternative to burning and for control of brush invasion into grassland areas.

Land managers also will review the lands they manage with local Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) staff to evaluate existing conservation plans near watersheds.

The DOT is waiving the $100,000 property and $300,000 personal liability insurance requirement for individuals applying for permits to harvest in DOT-managed right of way.

The agency also is waiving the annual $15 per-acre permit fee for the right to harvest in DOT-managed right of way. These fees would normally be deposited into the state's Primary Road Fund.

"As Governor, I am committed to helping our state recover from this year's severe weather while protecting our precious natural resources and assuring the safety of Iowa's drivers," Culver said. ""With this one-year modification to already existing rules, these two agencies will allow expanded agricultural use of state lands this year, and we will do so in a way that appropriately balances the needs of farmers with our commitments to the people of Iowa."

The Governor's announcement comes in response to a request by Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey's request to open public lands for haying and grazing to farmers adversely affected by this year's flooding and storms.