Audit: Iowa DNR fails to follow law on wetlands, public works inspections

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has failed to follow state law to identify protected wetlands, inspect local public works projects, and create a clean-air advisory panel, an audit released says. In response, Iowa DNR officials said the state laws duplicate other state or federal efforts, are less stringent than federal requirements, are outmoded, or can't be completed because of lack of cooperation from other state leaders.The agency said it would seek changes during the 2018 Legislative session.The state auditor's report says Iowa DNR failed to inventory protected wetlands, a finding that worries environmental leaders.