Local Floodwater Management Bill Advances in Iowa

March 25, 2009

Local governments in Iowa would have to prepare floodwater management standards in flood plain areas under legislation approved in the Senate.

State Sen. Pam Jochum, the main backer of the measure, says the Legislature cannot afford not to establish the standards.

Jochum says having floodwater management plans in place would help local officials plan for disasters like last summer’s record flooding.

Jochum says lawmakers moved to address that issue in the mid-1980s, but nothing happened because the state was in the midst of a budget crunch.

The Senate approved the measure on a 32-17 vote, sending it to the House and expected approval there as well.