Nondiscrimination, Accessibility & Language Access

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Nondiscrimination

This notice of nondiscrimination is available in the following languages:

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, English-language proficiency, disability, or age in the administration of its programs or activities in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. DNR will not tolerate discrimination, intimidation, threats, coercion, or retaliation against any individual or group because they have exercised their rights protected by federal or state law. As a recipient of federal funding, DNR is required to comply with federal nondiscrimination laws, including the following:

DNR’s compliance extends to federal regulations implementing the above-referenced statutes, including:

  • Department of Homeland Security: Title 6 Code of Federal Regulations Part 17 and Part 21
  • Department of Agriculture: Title 7 Code of Federal Regulations Part 15, Part 15a, Part 15b, Part 15c
  • Department of Defense: Title 32 Code of Federal Regulations Part 56, Part 195, and Part 196
  • Environmental Protection Agency: Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations Part 5 and Part 7
  • Department of Interior: Title 43 Code of Federal Regulations Part 17, and Part 41
  • Department of Homeland Security (Federal Emergency Management Agency): Title 44 Code of Federal Regulations Part 7 and Part 19
  • Department of Transportation: Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations Parts 21, Part 25, and Part 27

As a state agency, DNR is also required to comply with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended (“ADA”) and its implementing regulations at Title 28 Code of Federal Regulations Part 35, and the Iowa Civil Rights Act, Iowa Code 216. If you have any questions about DNR’s nondiscrimination notice or programs, or if you believe you have been discriminated against with respect to a DNR program or activity, you may contact either of DNR’s nondiscrimination coordinators:

Rachel Zander
Civil Rights and Nondiscrimination Coordinator
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
6200 Park Ave., Ste 200
Des Moines, IA 50321
civilrights@dnr.iowa.gov

Emily Cohen
ADA and Nondiscrimination Coordinator
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
6200 Park Ave., Ste 200
Des Moines, IA 50321
civilrights@dnr.iowa.gov

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Language Access

Free Language Assistance
If you speak a non-English language, we offer you language assistance services free of charge. Call (515) 725-8200.

Asistencia lingüística gratuita
Si habla un idioma que no sea el inglés, los servicios de asistencia lingüística están disponibles de forma gratuita. Llame al (515) 725-8200.

ความช่วยเหลือด้านภาษาฟรี
หากคุณพูดภาษาอื่นที่ไม่ใช่ภาษาอังกฤษ เรามีบริการช่วยเหลือทางภาษาให้คุณฟรี โทร (515) 725-8200

Language Access Plan
The Language Access Plan reflects DNR’s commitment to serving Iowans of all backgrounds and cultures, including individuals with limited English proficiency. By adopting this Plan, DNR recognizes its obligation to provide meaningful access to programs, services, and activities by removing language-based barriers to public interaction. Additionally, the Plan provides the procedures DNR follows in responding to requests for interpretation, translation, and other language services and in assessing need for language services.

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Disability Access

DNR provides reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. These accommodations, like qualified sign language interpreters and written information in other formats (large print, audio, accessible electronic formats, etc.), are provided when needed to communicate effectively.

If you need these services please contact:

These contacts can help you discuss what aid or service is appropriate.

El DNR proporciona  adaptaciones razonables a personas con discapacidades según cada caso. Estas adaptaciones, como intérpretes calificados de lenguaje de señas e información escrita en otros formatos (letra grande, audio, formatos electrónicos accesibles, etc.), se proporcionan cuando es necesario para comunicarse de manera efectiva.

  • Si necesita estos servicios, comuníquese con:
  • Rachel Zander al 515-725-8200
  • Servicio TTY de Relay Iowa al 800-735-7942, o
  • webmaster@dnr.iowa.gov

Estos contactos pueden ayudarle a determinar qué ayuda o servicio es apropiado.

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Disability Nondiscrimination Plan

The Disability Nondiscrimination Plan shows DNR’s commitment to providing people with disabilities the opportunity for full participation in its programs, services, and activities. The Plan establishes the procedures DNR follows when responding to requests for accommodations and maintaining accessible facilities.

Plan de No Discriminación por Discapacidad

El Plan de No Discriminación por Discapacidad muestra el compromiso del DNR de ofrecer a las personas con discapacidades la oportunidad de participar plenamente en sus programas, servicios y actividades. El Plan establece los procedimientos que el DNR sigue al responder a solicitudes de adaptaciones y al mantener instalaciones accesibles.

Plan de No Discriminación por Discapacidad del DNR (248.74 KB) .pdf
 

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Demographic Data

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is required by federal nondiscrimination law to “collect, maintain, and … provide the following information: … Racial/ethnic, national origin, age, sex and handicap data….” 40 C.F.R. § 7.85(a)(2). DNR collects demographic data from the U.S. Census Bureau, using the most recent data available. Citations are available for each type of data collected.

Total Population: 3,200,517

  • Race:
    • White alone: 2,702,598
    • American Indian or Alaskan native alone: 11,718
    • Asian or Pacific Islander alone: 84,312
    • Black or African American alone: 121,447
    • Some other race alone: 75,079
    • Two or more races: 205,363
  • Hispanic or Latino:
    • Hispanic or Latino: 218,024
    • Not Hispanic or Latino: 2,982,493
  • Age:
    • Under 18 years: 716,748
    • 18 to 24 years: 324,258
    • 25-34 years: 401,666
    • 35-44 years: 405,073
    • 45-54 years: 361,104
    • 55-64 years: 402,789
    • 65 years and over: 588,879
  • Sex:
    • Male: 1,607,659
    • Female: 1,592,858
  • Disability:
    • With a disability: 402,615
      • With a hearing difficulty: 115,978
      • With a vision difficulty: 62,546
      • With a cognitive difficulty: 155,898
      • With an ambulatory difficulty: 169,868
      • With a self-care difficulty: 59,444
      • With an independent living difficulty: 134,510
    • No disability: 2,750,722

Sources

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How to Make a Complaint of Discrimination to DNR

You can complain about discrimination in services provided by DNR in three ways.

  1. Tell DNR About Your Discrimination Concern (Informal Complaints)

    1. DNR recommends you first talk to one of our Nondiscrimination Coordinators if you have a concern about discrimination in DNR services. This is optional. You can file a formal discrimination complaint first if you want.
    2. The benefit of an informal complaint is to solve the issue quickly and efficiently. You can switch to the formal process at any time. If you have concerns or want to share your experiences through the informal process, please contact Rachel Zander at civilrights@dnr.iowa.gov or 515-725-8200.

  2. Filing a Discrimination Complaint with DNR (Formal Complaints)

    1. You can file a formal discrimination complaint in person, by mail, or by email. This is an option if you believe the DNR has failed to provide services or discriminated against you or others based on your (or their) race, color, national origin, ability to speak English, disability, sex, or age.
    2. You can file a discrimination complaint by:
      1. Completing and returning the fillable Discrimination Complaint Form (951.22 KB) .pdf
      2. Completing the Google Form for a Discrimination Complaint
      3. Emailing DNR’s Nondiscrimination Coordinators at civilrights@dnr.iowa.gov with information listed in the Discrimination Complaint Procedure
    3. If you have questions, look at the Discrimination Complaint FAQ (208.97 KB) .pdf , the Discrimination Complaint Procedure (351.35 KB) .pdf , or contact a Nondiscrimination Coordinator at civilrights@dnr.iowa.gov. The Discrimination Complaint Procedure does not apply to administrative actions that are being handled elsewhere.
    4. DNR can also receive complaints about organizations that have certain funding relationships with DNR (subrecipients of federal funding).

  3. Submitting a Formal Complaint to Other Agencies

    1. You can also file a discrimination complaint with other agencies. Please review the Discrimination Complaint Procedure (351.35 KB) .pdf or contact a Nondiscrimination Coordinator for more information.
    2. You can send formal complaints to the DNR about organizations that receive money from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Transportation. You can send formal complaints about other organizations that receive federal money directly to the federal agencies. Please contact a nondiscrimination coordinator for more information.
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Cómo presentar una queja por discriminación ante el DNR

Puede presentar una queja por discriminación en los servicios proporcionados por el DNR de tres maneras.

  1. Informar al DNR sobre su preocupación por discriminación (quejas informales)
    1. El DNR recomienda que primero hable con uno de nuestros Coordinadores de No Discriminación si tiene una preocupación sobre discriminación en los servicios del DNR. Esto es opcional. Puede presentar primero una queja formal por discriminación si lo desea.
    2. El beneficio de una queja informal es resolver el problema de manera rápida y eficiente. Puede cambiar al proceso formal en cualquier momento. Si tiene inquietudes o desea compartir sus experiencias a través del proceso informal, comuníquese con Rachel Zander en civilrights@dnr.iowa.gov o al 515-725-8200.
  2. Presentar una queja por discriminación ante el DNR (quejas formales)
    1. Puede presentar una queja formal por discriminación en persona, por correo postal o por correo electrónico. Esta es una opción si considera que el DNR no ha proporcionado servicios o lo ha discriminado a usted u otras personas debido a su (o su) raza, color, origen nacional, capacidad para hablar inglés, discapacidad, sexo o edad.
    2. Puede presentar una queja por discriminación de las siguientes maneras:
      1. Completando y devolviendo el Formulario de queja por discriminación (248.74 KB) .pdf
      2. Completando el Formulario de Google para una queja por discriminación
      3. Enviando un correo electrónico a los Coordinadores de No Discriminación del DNR a civilrights@dnr.iowa.gov con la información indicada en el Procedimiento de queja por discriminación
    3. Si tiene preguntas, consulte las Preguntas frecuentes sobre quejas por discriminación (208.21 KB) .pdf , el Procedimiento de queja por discriminación o comuníquese con un Coordinador de No Discriminación en civilrights@dnr.iowa.gov.  El Procedimiento de Queja por Discriminación no se aplica a acciones administrativas que se estén gestionando en otro lugar.
    4. El DNR también puede recibir quejas sobre organizaciones que tienen ciertas relaciones de financiamiento con el DNR (subreceptoras de financiamiento federal).
  3. Presentar una queja formal ante otras agencias
    1. También puede presentar una queja por discriminación ante otras agencias. Revise el Procedimiento de queja por discriminación o comuníquese con un Coordinador de No Discriminación para obtener más información.
    2. Puede enviar quejas formales al DNR sobre organizaciones que reciben dinero de la Agencia de Protección Ambiental de los Estados Unidos y del Departamento de Transporte de los Estados Unidos. Puede enviar quejas formales sobre otras organizaciones que reciben dinero federal directamente a las agencias federales. Comuníquese con un coordinador de no discriminación para obtener más información.
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