• Home
  • News
    • Politics & Government
    • Business & Economy
    • Crime / Courts
    • Health / Medicine
  • Sports
    • High School Sports
    • Radio Iowa Poll
  • Affiliates
    • Affiliate Support Page
  • Contact Us
    • Reporters

Radio Iowa

Iowa's Radio News Network

You are here: Home / Crime / Courts / Iowa Supreme Court upholds vote on water rules

Iowa Supreme Court upholds vote on water rules

July 11, 2014 By Dar Danielson

The Iowa Supreme Court rules two people appointed to the Environmental Protection Commission by then Governor Chet Culver were qualified to serve. Iowa Farm Bureau Federation the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association and Iowa Water Environment Association sought to have rules implementing the federal Clean Water regulations thrown out.

Those groups say then EPC member Susan Heathcote had a conflict of interest because she was employed by Iowa Environmental Council. They also said then commissioner Carrie La Seur was not eligible to vote because she had moved to Montana. The Iowa Supreme Court ruling says in the case of Heathcote, the nature of rulemaking does not disqualify a commission member from voting to adopt rules she personally and professionally supported.

As for La Suer, the court concludes that the disqualification of a commission member does not invalidate the action taken by the commission when the particular disqualification did not undermine the integrity of the process and when the public interest supports validating the rule despite the disqualification.

Justice Thomas Waterman disagreed with the decision on La Seur. He says it is undisputed La Seur lost her status to vote in Iowa — which was required to be on the commission — when she moved to Montana and registered to vote there. He says that should have invalidated the commission’s vote on the rules.  Justices Waterman and Zager joined his dissent.

Here’s the full ruling: EPC Commission ruling PDF

 

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: Crime / Courts, News, Outdoors

Featured Stories

Speakers at trooper’s funeral describe Sgt. Smith as selfless, man of faith

Iowa unlikely to join 26 states with hands-free driving laws

Reynolds says Johnson & Johnson vaccine pause manageable

Iowa State Patrol tactical team leader killed in Grundy Center stand-off

Finalists chosen for the state’s top burger

TwitterFacebook
Tweets by RadioIowa

Drake elevates Pohlman to head women’s basketball coach

New title sponsor for Des Moines Marathon

Iowa State adds Minnesota transfer

Cedar Rapids preparing for big return of sports events

Iowa Games returning with full slate of sports

More Sports

eNews and Updates

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Archives

Copyright © 2021 · Learfield News & Ag, LLC