103B.102 LOCAL WATER MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTABILITY AND OVERSIGHT.
    Subdivision 1. Findings; improving accountability and oversight. The legislature finds
that a process is needed to monitor the performance and activities of local water management
entities. The process should be preemptive so that problems can be identified early and
systematically. Underperforming entities should be provided assistance and direction for
improving performance in a reasonable time frame.
    Subd. 2. Definitions. For the purposes of this section, "local water management entities"
means watershed districts, soil and water conservation districts, metropolitan water management
organizations, and counties operating separately or jointly in their role as local water management
authorities under chapter 103B, 103C, 103D, or 103G and chapter 114D.
    Subd. 3. Evaluation and report. The Board of Water and Soil Resources shall evaluate
performance, financial, and activity information for each local water management entity.
The board shall evaluate the entities' progress in accomplishing their adopted plans on a
regular basis, but not less than once every five years. The board shall maintain a summary of
local water management entity performance on the board's Web site. Beginning February 1,
2008, and annually thereafter, the board shall provide an analysis of local water management
entity performance to the chairs of the house and senate committees having jurisdiction over
environment and natural resources policy.
    Subd. 4. Corrective actions. (a) In addition to other authorities, the Board of Water and Soil
Resources may, based on its evaluation in subdivision 3, reduce, withhold, or redirect grants and
other funding if the local water management entity has not corrected deficiencies as prescribed in
a notice from the board within one year from the date of the notice.
    (b) The board may defer a decision on a termination petition filed under section 103B.221,
103C.225, or 103D.271 for up to one year to conduct or update the evaluation under subdivision 3
or to communicate the results of the evaluation to petitioners or to local and state government
agencies.
History: 2007 c 57 art 1 s 104