AI-assisted research summary: The director has several duties and permissions for environmental administration, including recommending rules, conducting investigations, obtaining warrants, handling grants, representing the state, and entering environmental covenants.
The director shall: 1. Recommend to the commission the adoption of rules that are necessary for the effective administration of the department. 2. Recommend to the commission the adoption of rules to implement the programs and services assigned to it. 3. Contract, with the approval of the commission, with public agencies of this state to provide all laboratory, scientific field measurement, and environmental quality evaluation services necessary to implement the provisions of this chapter, chapter 459, and chapter 459A. If the director finds that public agencies of this state cannot provide the laboratory, scientific field measurement, and environmental evaluation services required by the department, the director may contract, with the approval of the commission, with any other public or private persons or agencies for such services or for scientific or technical services required to carry out the programs and services assigned to the department. 4. Conduct investigations of complaints received directly or referred by the commission created in section 455A.6 or other investigations deemed necessary. While conducting an investigation, the director may enter at any reasonable time in and upon any private or public property to investigate any actual or possible violation of this chapter, chapter 459, chapter 459A, chapter 459B, or the rules or standards adopted under this chapter, chapter 459, chapter 459A, or chapter 459B. However, the owner or person in charge shall be notified. a. If the owner or occupant of any property refuses admittance thereto, or if prior to such refusal the director demonstrates the necessity for a warrant, the director may make application under oath or affirmation to the district court of the county in which the property is located for the issuance of a search warrant. b. In the application the director shall state that an inspection of the premises is mandated by the laws of this state or that a search of certain premises, areas, or things designated in the application may result in evidence tending to reveal the existence of violations of public health, safety, or welfare requirements imposed by statutes, rules, or ordinances established by the state or a political subdivision thereof. The application shall describe the area, premises, or thing to be searched, give the date of the last inspection if known, give the date and time of the proposed inspection, declare the need for such inspection, recite that notice of desire to make an inspection has been given to affected persons and that admission was refused if that be the fact, and state that the inspection has no purpose other than to carry out the purpose of the statute, ordinance, or regulation pursuant to which inspection is to be made. If an item of property is sought by the director it shall be identified in the application. c. If the court is satisfied from the examination of the applicant, and of other witnesses, if any, and of the allegations of the application of the existence of the grounds of the application, or that there is probable cause to believe their existence, the court may issue such search warrant. d. In making inspections and searches pursuant to the authority of this subchapter, the director must execute the warrant: (1) Within ten days after its date. (2) In a reasonable manner, and any property seized shall be treated in accordance with the provisions of chapters 808, 809, and 809A. (3) Subject to any restrictions imposed by the statute, ordinance, or regulation pursuant to which inspection is made. 5. Accept, receive, and administer grants or other funds or gifts from public or private agencies, including the federal government, for the abatement, prevention, or control of pollution, or other environmental programs, subject to the approval of the commission. 6. Represent the state in all matters pertaining to plans, procedures, negotiations, and agreements for interstate compacts relating to the control of pollution or the protection or enhancement of the environment. Any agreement is subject to the approval of the commission. 7. At the discretion of the director, enter into environmental covenants in accordance with chapter 455I and accept or maintain such other real property interests as shall be appropriate for the protection of human health and safety or the environment. [C66, §455B.14; C71, §136B.4, 136B.5, 455B.14; C73, §455B.3, 455B.12(12), 455B.13(3, 7), 455B.36, 455B.89(4); C75, 77, 79, §455B.3, 455B.12(12), 455B.13(6); C81, §455B.3] C83, §455B.103 84 Acts, ch 1158, §1; 86 Acts, ch 1245, §1885, 1886, 1899; 96 Acts, ch 1133, §45; 2005 Acts, ch 102, §1; 2005 Acts, ch 136, §20; 2006 Acts, ch 1010, §170, 177; 2009 Acts, ch 155, §20, 34; 2010 Acts, ch 1069, §55; 2021 Acts, ch 76, §150 Referred to in §455B.475, 459.207, 459.601