HB 1426 - Water Management Authority

• Establishes the Water Management Authority as a state agency with a governor-appointed administrator to consolidate management of Indiana's water supply, drainage, and flood control.

• Upon adoption of a statewide water management plan (due by July 1, 2015), transfers water-related powers and duties from the Natural Resources Commission and Department of Natural Resources to the Water Management Authority.

• Creates nine regional water management councils organized by hydrological regions, composed of drainage board and soil/water conservation board chairs from counties within each region.

• Grants the administrator authority to issue water management permits for drainage projects, water withdrawals, flood control activities, and other water-related projects, with consideration for best management practices and environmental protection.

• Requires drainage boards to account for wetlands when determining benefits and damages to land, including reducing benefit percentages for parcels with existing wetlands that provide natural drainage services.

• Effective July 1, 2013.