In Iowa, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is responsible for protecting the environment, state parks, forests and for managing fish, wildlife and land, and water resources in the state.  DNR was created pursuant to Iowa Code § 455A.2.

The chief administrative officer of DNR is the director, who has knowledge in the general field of natural resource management and environmental protection.  The chief administrative officer shall be appointed by the governor, subject to confirmation of the senate[i].

DNR consists of a Natural Resource Commission (NRC) and an Environmental Protection Commission (EPC).  The NRC consists of seven members appointed by the governor, subject to confirmation of the senate, for a period of six years[ii].  The EPC consists of nine members appointed by the governor subject to senate confirmation for a period of four years[iii].

In order to carry out the department’s responsibilities effectively and efficiently, the director may establish administrative divisions, bureaus, or other administrative entities within DNR.  However, the creation or modification of departmental divisions, bureaus, or other administrative entities is carried out only after consultation with the NRC or the EPC.  The director shall also appoint an administrator for each division created under DNR[iv].

The divisions established under DNR are administration, air quality, animal feeding operations requirements, water quality, solid waste disposal, agricultural chemicals regulation-waste management research, infectious waste, toxics pollution prevention program, contaminated sites, oil spills, contaminated property-financial liability, vehicle recycling-mercury reduction and removal, and Iowa climate change advisory council.

Iowa Department of Natural Resources

[i] Iowa Code § 455A.3.

[ii] Iowa Code § 455A.5.

[iii] Iowa Code § 455A.6.

[iv] Iowa Code § 455A.7.