A. The districts shall invite the appropriate counties, municipalities and special purpose districts or other governmental units to designate liaison representatives for consultation on each other's programs and plans for resource conservation. The counties, municipalities, special purpose districts and other governmental units are hereby authorized to appoint such liaison representatives and to participate in the preparation and coordination of local planning and programming for resource conservation. The districts shall designate liaison representatives to advise and consult with such other local agencies.

B. The districts shall consult and cooperate with state, regional, interstate and federal agencies to promote harmony and the avoidance of conflict in the programs and plans for resource conservation developed and carried out by any of them. The districts, other local agencies and the agencies of the government of this state shall provide for liaison and consultation among them for all programs that have direct impact on natural resources, including plans for public land acquisition and management, schools, dams and reservoirs, and other water management structures, highway locations, public utilities and subdivisions. Districts shall hold similar consultations with public and private agencies planning, constructing or operating transportation or communication facilities.

C. State agencies, the districts and other local agencies are authorized to make available to each other maps, reports and data in their possession that are useful in the preparation of their respective programs and plans for resource conservation. The districts shall keep the state and local agencies fully informed concerning the status and progress of the preparation of their resource conservation programs and plans.

D. The districts shall hold public hearings at appropriate times in connection with the preparation of programs and plans, shall give careful consideration to the views expressed and problems revealed in hearings, and shall keep the public informed concerning their programs, plans and activities. Agencies and individuals shall be invited to submit proposals for consideration at such hearings. The districts may supplement such hearings with meetings, referenda and other suitable means to determine the wishes of interested parties and the general public in regard to current and proposed plans and programs of a district. They shall confer with public and private agencies, individually and in groups, to give and obtain information and understanding of the impact of district operations upon agriculture, forestry, water supply and quality, flood control, particular industries, commercial concerns and other public and private interests, both rural and urban.

Added by Laws 1971, c. 346, § 15-602, operative July 1, 1971. Amended by Laws 1993, c. 145, § 227, eff. July 1, 1993. Renumbered from Title 82, § 1501-602 by Laws 1993, c. 145, § 359, eff. July 1, 1993.