HF1734 Summary

• Establishes basin watershed management policy requiring the Board of Water and Soil Resources to coordinate water and soil resources planning across state agencies and local units of government.

• Authorizes establishment of basin boards in eight major Minnesota river basins (Rainy, Great Lakes, St. Croix, Middle Mississippi, Lower Mississippi-Cedar, Missouri-Des Moines, Upper Mississippi, and Minnesota) through a petition process.

• Basin boards may levy an ad valorem tax not exceeding 0.048 percent of taxable market value or $1,000,000 (whichever is less), with half going to the basin board general fund and half to watershed management entities.

• Requires basin boards to adopt management plans within 24 months of establishment and establish advisory committees, with membership consisting of representatives from existing watershed management entities and major watershed units.

• Allows basin boards to be amended or terminated through petition processes; termination petitions require 25 percent of resident owners from at least 50 percent of watersheds and cannot be accepted within five years of establishment.