The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking informal comments on administrative rules for Iowa fisheries and related programs. Executive Order 10 (EO10), signed by Governor Reynolds on January 10, 2023, requires all state agencies to identify which administrative rule chapters will be retained or rescinded. The EO10 process includes public engagement with the opportunity for input.
The Iowa DNR has reviewed the following rule chapters relating to programs administered by the Fisheries Bureau: 571 Iowa Administrative Code (IAC) Chapters 79 (Fish Stocking Procedures and Fees for Private Waters), 81 (Fishing Regulations), 82 (Commercial Fishing), 83 (Scuba and Skin Spearing of Rough Fish), 84 (Promiscuous Fishing), 86 (Turtles), 87 (Mussel Regulations), 89 (Aquaculture), 90 (Aquatic Invasive Species), and 113 (Restitution for Pollution Causing Injury to Wild Animals).
Based on the review, DNR has revised these chapters to eliminate redundancies and improve efficiency and clarity. The public is invited to provide informal comments on the proposed rule changes. DNR will accept written comments through June 12, 2025. Written comments or questions regarding the proposed rules should be submitted to: randy.schultz@dnr.iowa.gov. Comments should be made to specific portions of the rules.
After receiving and reviewing informal comments, the DNR will create a draft Regulatory Analysis and draft Notice of Intended Action.
Drafts of the rules, including a “clean” copy and a version showing revisions, can be found on the DNR webpage: www.iowadnr.gov/eo10.