Decorah resident Chuck Gipp will step down as head of the Iowa DNR

Iowa Department of Natural Resources Director Chuck Gipp, a Decorah native and former state representative, announced his retirement Thursday. His last day at the department will be Tuesday, May 1st.

"It's been an absolute pleasure to serve Iowans for the past 28 years," Gipp said. "I've been blessed to work among some of the best in the state, and nothing is more gratifying than being able to make a difference in the lives of Iowans."

Gipp was elected to the Iowa House of Representatives in 1990 and served nine consecutive terms.  After deciding not to seek re-election, Gipp was hired by Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey as director of the Division of Soil Conservation. He served in that role for three years.

Gipp began serving as deputy director of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in August of 2011, then soon became DNR Director.  Deputy Director Bruce Trautman will serve as acting director of the DNR.