Does Iowa Utilities Board follow Iowa Code?

To the editor:

Regarding the Oct. 18 story 'Eminent domain sought for one-third of Iowa land”:

After attending four pipeline informational meetings, I was handed information in regard to the Code of Iowa regulations for Dakota Access to follow for getting a permit from the Iowa Utilities Board.

On page 1of the information provided by the Iowa Utilities Board, it references Iowa Code 479B.4. On page 2, under Chapter 479B.4, it states: 'The notice shall be sent restricted certified mail and shall be published once in a newspaper of general circulation in the county not less than thirty days before the date set for the meeting”. On page 4 under 479B.15: 'Entry for land surveys written notice by restricted certified mail to the landowner as defined in section 479B.4 and to any person residing on or in possession of the land.” Note: Restricted certified mail.

If this isn't important, why does the Iowa Utilities Board hand out this documentation and make reference to the Iowa code? Why didn't they confer with Dakota Access before allowing this documentation to be directed to landowners? Isn't it the responsibility of the Iowa Utilities Board to make sure that regulations established by the Code of Iowa be followed?

Why did legislators put the word restricted certified mail in the code? Restricted, according to the USPS, means only the person's name, as listed as the addressee, can sign for that documentation. Without the word restricted, anyone in that household may sign for the document. Why shouldn't this documentation be presented to the legal owner of the land who is most affected by this pipeline?

William H. Alexander

Ottumwa