Subdivision 1. Informal resolution. The county or other local unit of government may request a meeting with the chair of the Board of Water and Soil Resources to informally resolve a dispute before initiating a contested case procedure under this section.

Subd. 2. Petition for hearing. A county or other local unit of government may petition for a hearing by the board under this section if:

(1) the interpretation and implementation of a comprehensive water plan is challenged by a local unit of government aggrieved by the plan;

(2) two or more counties disagree about the apportionment of the costs of a project implementing a comprehensive water plan; or

(3) a county and another local unit of government disagree about a change in a local water and related land resources plan or official control recommended by the county under section 103B.325.

Subd. 3. Time for petition. The county or other local unit of government must file the petition by 60 days after:

(1) the date of the adoption or approval of the disputed ordinance or other decision required to be made to implement the comprehensive water plan; or

(2) the date a local unit of government receives a recommendation of the county board under section 103B.325.

Subd. 4. Hearing. If the aggrieved county or other local unit of government files a petition for a hearing, a hearing must be conducted by the board within 60 days of the request. The subject of the hearing may not extend to questions concerning the need for a comprehensive water plan. Within 60 days after the close of the hearing, the board shall, by resolution containing findings of fact and conclusions of law, make a final decision with respect to the issue before it.

Subd. 5. Appeal. Any local unit of government or state agency aggrieved by the final decision of the board may appeal the decision to the court of appeals in the manner provided by sections 14.63 to 14.69.

History: 1990 c 391 art 2 s 26; 1991 c 214 s 1,2