ND HB1544

Requires drainage permits for water bodies with watersheds under 80 acres if drainage flows directly onto another landowner's property without prior written consent from the downstream landowner

Adds requirement for subsurface water management systems under 80 acres to notify all affected downstream landowners (not just the water resource district board) when the system will flow onto their property

Establishes a formal objection process where downstream landowners have 60 days to deliver written objections via certified mail; if no objection is received, installation may proceed

If a downstream landowner timely objects to a subsurface water management system, the installer must complete a full permit application for review by the water resource district

Removes the permit requirement for draining a "series" of connected water bodies, limiting permits to individual ponds, sloughs, lakes, or sheetwater