State of Iowa Money Laundering Threat Assessment, September 2002

Report of Iowa Money Laundering threat.

State of Iowa Money Laundering Threat Assessment, January 2004

Report of Iowa Money Laundering threat.

Garlic mustard, alliara petiolata. A serious threat to Iowa's woodlands

Pamphlet describing the plant garlic mustard and it's threat to Iowa woodland and wildlife

Garlic Mustard: A Serious Threat to Iowa's Woodlands, October 2005

Garlic mustard is a rapidly spreading, highly invasive non-native plant. It was introduced from Europe in mid-1800 for medicinal and herbal uses. Came to the United States without predatory beetles or other natural controls. Threatens to rob us of healthy, diverse native woodlands.

LSTA Five Year Plan 2003-2007, 2007

The Iowa Commission of Libraries, the State Library’s governing board, convened the Library Services Task Force in August 2000. This group consisted of 46 Iowans from across the state, including librarians from all types of libraries, library trustees, legislators, members of Iowa Regional Library system (now called Library Service Areas) and Area Education Agencies, and citizens. Their mission was to make recommendations to the Commission on positioning libraries to effectively and efficiently meet the future needs of Iowans. Needs and expectations of Iowa Library customers and funding authorities were identified and examined by the Task Force, and are reflected in its recommendations. The Commission received the Task Force recommendations in December 2000, carefully studied them, solicited input from the Iowa library community, and with a few changes, forwarded the recommendations to the Governor and the Iowa General Assembly. These recommendations are now known as Iowa Commission of Libraries priorities and serve as a blueprint for future development of the Iowa library system. A second need assessment was conducted in 2001 as part of the process to formulate the joint Library Service Area – State Library Plan of Service 2003-2005. Biennial development of this plan is mandated by the Code of Iowa. In 2001, Library Service Area and Library Development staff from the State Library chose to completely revamp this plan, and used the process outlined in the The New Planning for Results by Sandra Nelson (the Public Library Association planning model) to do so. The group conducted a strengths/weaknesses/opportunities/threat analysis of the Iowa library situation, identified needs and put them in priority order, and identified service responses. Needs identified by the Library Services Task Force were similar to those identified by the Library Service Area and Library Development staff group. These needs were further analyzed and documented by State Library staff during the development of the LSTA plan. Sources consulted are identified in the text of the LSTA plan and/or listed at the close of this document. The text of the Library Services Task Force report and the documents created during the development of the Plan of Service 2003-2005 are cited in the appendix to this document.

Economic Aspects of Agricultural and Food Biosecurity in the United States, March 2007

Concerns about biosecurity in the food system raise a variety of issues about how the system is presently organized, why it might be vulnerable, what one could reasonably do to better secure it, and the costs of doing so. After presenting some facts about US agriculture and food, this paper considers three economic aspects of the general problem. One is the global problem, or the way biosecurity measures can affect how countries relate to each other and the global consequences that result. Another is how to best manage the immediate aftermath of a realized threat in order to minimize damage. The third is how to seek to prevent realization of the threat. Some policy alternatives are also presented.

Investigation of Restraint Device use in Iowa's County Jail

Executive Summary The use of full-body restraint devices is a widespread practice in Iowa’s county jails. Full-body restraints come in the form of restraint chairs, boards, and beds, including two such devices manufactured in Iowa. Iowa law, which refers to these as four- and fivepoint restraints, states they are only to be used when an inmate is a threat to self, others, or jail security. However, the Ombudsman found they were also used on inmates who caused minor disruptions or in response to an inmate’s verbal abuse. In some cases, the restraints were used on inmates with known mental illness who were acting out, though no attempts were made to seek medical or mental health reviews for those inmates while restrained, leading to extended use of the restraint device.

Methamphetamine Inhibitor: Calcium Nitrate– What You Need to Know, 2006

Iowa agriculture depends on anhydrous ammonia as a low-cost form of nitrogen fertilizer on 61 percent of Iowa’s 12.4 million acres of corn. Now we find a threat to that source of nutrient—the theft of anhydrous ammonia for use in making a powerful, illegal narcotic called methamphetamine. Naturally, the fertilizer industry is outraged by the illegal and illicit use of our products. We want to play a role in preventing abuse in the future. By raising awareness, knowing how to respond and using the Meth Inhibitor, fertilizer dealers can assist law enforcement in combating this illicit use of a product important to Iowa farmers.

Fact Sheet: Tornadoes, 2009

When a tornado is coming, you have only a short amount of time to make life-or-death decisions. Advance planning and quick response are the keys to surviving a tornado. Conduct tornado drills each tornado season. Designate an area in the home as a shelter, and practice having everyone in the family go there in response to a tornado threat. Discuss with family members the difference between a "tornado watch" and a "tornado warning."

Safer Construction and Maintenance Safer Construction and Maintenance Practices to Minimize Potential Liability by Counties from Accidents, September 1979

Tort claims resulting from alleged highway defects have introduced an additional element in the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of highways. A survey of county governments in Iowa was undertaken in order to quantify the magnitude and determine the nature of this problem. This survey included the use of mailed questionnaires and personal interviews with County Engineers. Highway-related claims filed against counties in Iowa amounted to about $52,000,000 during the period 1973 through 1978. Over $30,000,000 in claims was pending at the end of 1978. Settlements of judgments were made at a cost of 12.2% of the amount claimed for those claims that had been disposed of, not including costs for handling claims, attorney fees, or court costs. There was no clear time trend in the amount of claims for the six-year period surveyed, although the amount claimed in 1978 was about double the average for the preceding five years. Problems that resulted in claims for damages from counties have generally related to alleged omissions in the use of traffic control devices or defects, often temporary, resulting from alleged inadequacies in highway maintenance. The absence of stop signs or warning signs often has been the central issue in a highway-related tort claim. Maintenance problems most frequently alleged have included inadequate shoulders, surface roughness, ice o? snow conditions, and loose gravel. The variation in the occurrence of tort claims among 85 counties in Iowa could not be related to any of the explanatory variables that were tested. Claims appeared to have occurred randomly. However, using data from a sub sample of 11 counties, a significant relationship was shown probably to exist between the amount of tort claims and the extensiveness of use of warning signs on the respective county road systems. Although there was no indication in any county that their use of warning signs did not conform with provisions of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (Federal Highway Administration, Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., 1978), many more warning signs were used in some counties than would be required to satisfy this minimum requirement. Sign vandalism reportedly is a problem in all counties. The threat of vandalism and the added costs incurred thereby have tended to inhibit more extensive use of traffic control devices. It also should be noted that there is no indication from this research of a correlation between the intensiveness of sign usage and highway safety. All highway maintenance activities introduce some extraordinary hazard for motorists. Generally effective methodologies have evolved for use on county road systems for routine maintenance activities, procedures that tend to reduce the hazard to practical and reasonably acceptable levels. Blading of loose-surfaced roads is an example of such a routine maintenance activity. Alternative patterns for blading that were investigated as part of this research offered no improvements in safety when compared with the method in current use and introduced a significant additional cost that was unacceptable, given the existing limitations in resources available for county roads.

Fact Sheet: Tornadoes, 2011

When a tornado is coming, you have only a short amount of time to make life-or-death decisions. Advance planning and quick response are the keys to surviving a tornado. Conduct tornado drills each tornado season. Designate an area in the home as a shelter, and practice having everyone in the family go there in response to a tornado threat. Discuss with family members the difference between a "tornado watch" and a "tornado warning." Contact your local emergency management office or American Red Cross chapter for more information on tornadoes.

Examining Driver Behavior in Response to Work Zone Interventions: A Driving Simulator Study, 2010

Construction zones pose a significant threat to both workers and drivers causing numerous injuries and deaths each year. Innovations in work zone safety could reduce these numbers. However, implementing work zone interventions before they are validated can undermine rather than enhance safety. The objective of this research is to demonstrate how driving simulators can be used to evaluate the effect of various work zone interventions on driver performance.

Safer Constrauction and Maintenance Practices to Minimize Potential Liabiliy by Counties from Accidents, Septemeber 1979

Tort claims resulting from alleged highway defects have introduced an additional element in the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of highways. A survey of county governments in Iowa was undertaken in order to quantify the magnitude and determine the nature of this problem. This survey included the use of mailed questionnaires and personal interviews with County Engineers. Highway-related claims filed against counties in Iowa amounted to about $52,000,000 during the period 1973 through 1978. Over $30,000,000 in claims was pending at the end of 1978. Settlements of judgments were made at a cost of 12.2% of the amount claimed for those claims that had been disposed of, not including costs for handling claims, attorney fees, or court costs. There was no clear time trend in the amount of claims for the six-year period surveyed, although the anount claimed in 1978 was about double the average for the preceding five years. Problems that resulted in claims for damages from counties have generally related to alleged omissions in the use of traffic control devices or defects, often temporary, resulting from alleged inadequacies in highway maintenance. The absence of stop signs or warning signs often has been the central issue in a highway-related tort claim. Maintenance problems most frequently alleged have included inadequate shoulders, surface roughness, ice o? snow conditions, and loose gravel. The variation in the occurrence of tort claims among 85 counties in Iowa could not be related to any of the explanatory variables that were tested. Claims hppeared to have occurred randomly. However, using data from a subsample of 11 counties, a significant relationship was shown probably to exist between the amount of tort claims and the extensiveness of use of wcirning signs on the respective county road systems. Although there was no indication in any county that their use of warning signs did not conform with provisions of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (Federal Highway Administration, Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., 1978), many more warning signs were used in some counties than would be required to satisfy this minimum requirement. Sign vandalism reportedly is a problem in all counties. The threat of vandalism and the added costs incurred thereby have tended to inhibit more extensive use of traffic control devices. It also should be noted that there is no indication from this research of a correlation between the intensiveness of sign usage and highway safety. All highway maintenance activities introduce some extraordinary hazard for motorists. Generally effective methodologies have evolved for use on county road systems for routine maintenance activities, procedures that tend to reduce the hazard to practical and reasonably acceptable levels. Blading of loose-surfaced roads is an examples such a routine maintenance activity. Alternative patterns for blading that were investigated as part of this research offered no improvements in safety when compared with the method in current use and introduced a significant additional cost that was unacceptable, given the existing limitations in resources available for county roads.

Rubber Buffings for Bridge Approach Expansion Joints, MLR-01-01, 2001

Many of the bridges in the state of Iowa have type ‘CF’, ‘EE’, or ‘EF’ expansion joints installed in the bridge approach slabs. These joints, which are typically 4” wide, are currently filled with a foam expansion joint material that is covered with a sealant. Over time the sealant begins to pull off of the walls of the joint and it ultimately fails. The joint, which is now exposed to the weather, is then filled with water and solids. The foam joint material, which is lighter than water, floats out of the joint onto the highway. This foam resembles a large 4” X 6” plank and poses a threat to motorists. A possible solution to this problem would be to replace the foam material with rubber buffings. Rubber buffings are a by-product of the tire retread industry.

Pipe Rehabilitation with Polyethylene Pipe Liners, HR-370, 2003

Corroded, deteriorated, misaligned, and distorted drainage pipes can cause a serious threat to a roadway. Normal practice is to remove and replace the damaged drainage structure. An alternative method of rehabilitating these structures is to slip line them with a polyethylene liner. Twelve drainage structures were slip lined with polyethylene liners during 1994 in Iowa. Two types of liners installed were "Culvert Renew" and "Snap-Tite." It was found that the liners could be easily installed by most highway, county, and city maintenance departments. The liners restore the flow and increase the service life of the original drainage structure. The liners were found to be cost competitive compared with the removal and replacement of the existing drainage structure. Slip lining has the largest economic benefit when the roadway is paved, the culvert is under a deep fill, or traffic volumes are high. The annular space between the original pipe and the liner was filled with flowable mortar. Care should be taken to properly brace and grout the annular space between the liner and the culvert to avoid deformation of the liner.