(20 ILCS 801/Art. 5 heading)

(20 ILCS 801/5-5) Sec. 5-5. Office of Water Resources; powers and duties. (a) There shall be an Office of Water Resources within the Department. The Office shall exercise the powers and duties transferred to the Department of Natural Resources from the Department of Transportation by this Act and such other powers and duties as may be provided by law. (b) The Office of Water Resources of the Department of Natural Resources shall exercise the powers, rights, and duties formerly vested by law in the Department of Transportation as successor to: (1) the Rivers and Lakes Commission of Illinois, its

officers and employees;

(2) the Illinois Waterway Commission, its secretary,

chief engineers, and other officers and employees; and

(3) the Department of Public Works and Buildings with

respect to matters relating to waterways and waterway improvements, canals, harbors, ports, public port districts, port improvements and facilities, beaches, flood relief, and water conservation.

(c) The Office of Water Resources shall act as the State coordinating agency and accept and administer grants or other financial assistance from the federal government with respect to all of the following: (1) The Water Resources Planning Act of 1965 (79

Stat. 244), as now or hereafter amended or superseded.

(2) The National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (82

Stat. 572), as now or hereafter amended or superseded.

(3) The National Dam Inspection Act of 1972 (33

U.S.C., Sec. 467), as now or hereafter amended or superseded.

(4) The construction or reconstruction of all

projects for flood control and allied purposes.

(Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

(20 ILCS 801/5-10) Sec. 5-10. Additional powers. With respect to the water resources of the State, the Office of Water Resources shall have the following powers: (a) To study and investigate ways and means by which the various water uses may be coordinated to the end that the water resources of the State be put to their maximum beneficial use and, in connection therewith, to request any department or agency of the State to make surveys, studies, investigations, prepare plans, reports and furnish such data and information as may be necessary. (b) To coordinate, determine and provide ways and means for the equitable reconciliation and adjustment of the various conflicting claims and rights to water by users or uses. (c) To recommend legislation for the most feasible method or methods of conserving water resources and putting them to the maximum possible use, taking into account the problems of navigation, flood control, river flow control and stabilization, reclamation, drainage and recapture, and further utilization of water after use for any purpose, domestic and industrial use, irrigation of land, municipal use, development of electric energy, public health, recreational, fish and game life, and other beneficial use. (d) To undertake regulatory flood hazard mapping within this State. (e) To inspect and prescribe standards of repair, maintenance and improvement of the facilities and properties of the Metro-East Sanitary District. (Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96; 90-14, eff. 7-1-97.)