MN HF1596

Board of Water and Soil Resources may adopt policies allowing comprehensive plans, local water management plans, watershed management plans, or TMDL implementation plans to serve as substitutes for one another, with coordination through informal working groups with local government stakeholders.

Local water management plans must cover entire county areas, address water problems using watershed units and groundwater systems, and extend 5-10 years from board approval, with extensions of revision dates now allowed without restrictions on ordering or commencing projects.

State agencies must prioritize local requests that align with approved comprehensive plans, local water management plans, or watershed management plans when administering water-related financial and technical assistance programs.

Board may award performance-based grants to local units of government implementing watershed management plans, local water management plans, or TMDL implementation plans that have been reviewed and approved by the board.

Board shall develop performance-based criteria for water resources grants that may include science-based assessments, organizational capacity, priority resource issues, community outreach, partnership potential, and program delivery efficiency.