Farmers and private property owners need to be aware of a new state law in Iowa restricting mowing along roadways. In the last week of April, Gov. Culver signed several bills that passed the Iowa Legislature this year, including House File 2458. This bill prohibits mowing before July 15 in the rights-of-way and medians of interstate highways, state highways and secondary roads.

You need to note that this new law goes into effect on July 1 of this year. That means in 2010 the law will be enforced between July 1 and July 15. The restriction applies to private property owners, the Iowa Department of Transportation, and also to counties that do roadside mowing. The restrictions were designed to maintain adequate nesting areas for native birds.

Under the new law, which is officially known as House File 2458, a landowner retains the right to mow grass that is grown along the road on the landowner’s land, as long as the mowing is done on or after July 15 and does not conflict with an integrated roadside vegetation management plan.

The bill also allows mowing within 200 yards of your home, and allows mowing for visibility and safety reasons, which can cover situations such as along lanes or intersections. There is also a specific allowance for mowing around mailboxes, for other access purposes, and to establish control of damaging insects, noxious weeds or invasive plants.