Eminent domain bill passes Iowa house by large margin
“Legislation making it more difficult for governmental entities to take private land for recreational purposes sailed through the Iowa House 93-6 Monday.
House File 219 adds landowner protections to Iowa’s eminent domain law. The catalyst for the bill, which now goes to the Senate, was a plan for a 900-acre lake in Clarke County. The county called it necessary to flood farmland to provide drinking water to the city of Osceola. The county also claims it was needed to spur economic development and residential homebuilding.
However, landowners, including long-established farmers, disputed that, pointing to plans that at one time included boat ramps, recreational vehicle parking sites and a beach with picnic tables and bath house.”
Lynch, James. Muscatain Journal 11 March 2013.