Chapter 103B — Water Law

103B.001 Citation; Water Law Chapters 103A through 103G together make up Minnesota's Water Law. 103B.101 Board of Water and Soil Resources Creates the 15-member Board of Water and Soil Resources to oversee water and soil conservation. 103B.102 Local Water Management; Accountability and Oversight Sets up a process to monitor and improve the performance of local water management organizations. 103B.103 Easement Stewardship Accounts Creates stewardship accounts to fund long-term management of water and soil conservation easements. 103B.104 Lawns to Legumes Program The Lawns to Legumes program gives grants to plant pollinator-friendly native plants in yards. 103B.105 Habitat-friendly Utilities Program Provides grants to plant native vegetation on utility project sites like solar farms and pipelines. 103B.106 Habitat Enhancement Landscape Program Provides grants to establish native plants that support bees, butterflies, birds, and other wildlife. 103B.107 Coordination With Minnesota Business First Stop Data center permit inquiries must be referred to the Minnesota Business First Stop Program. 103B.151 Coordinating Water Resource Planning The Environmental Quality Board coordinates water resource planning among all state agencies. 103B.155 State Water and Related Land Resource Plan The DNR must create a statewide water and land resources plan covering floods, wetlands, and more. 103B.201 Metropolitan Water Management Program; Purpose Lists the purposes of the metropolitan water management program, including flood control and water quality. 103B.205 Definitions Defines key terms used in the metropolitan water management sections. 103B.211 Joint Powers Watershed Management Organization Cities and counties in the metro area can form joint watershed management organizations. 103B.215 Boundary Change of Watershed Districts Boundaries of metro-area watershed districts can be changed by petition to the Board of Water and Soil Resources. 103B.221 Terminating Watershed District A metro-area watershed district can be terminated by petition of all cities and towns in the watershed. 103B.225 Boundary Change and Termination; Effect on Benefits and Damages Changing or terminating a watershed district does not cancel debts or assessments for past projects. 103B.227 Watershed Management Organizations Watershed management organizations must report board appointments and fill vacancies within 90 days. 103B.231 Watershed Plans Metro-area watersheds must prepare and adopt water management plans that meet state requirements. 103B.235 Local Water Management Plans After a watershed plan is adopted, local governments must prepare matching local water management plans. 103B.239 Rule Review The Board of Water and Soil Resources must review its metropolitan water rules every 5 years. 103B.241 Levies Local governments and watershed organizations can levy taxes to fund water planning and projects. 103B.245 Special Tax District; Local Government Unit Local governments can create special watershed tax districts to pay for water plans and projects. 103B.251 Capital Improvements by Watershed Management Organizations Watershed management organizations can build capital improvements and certify costs to counties. 103B.252 Emergency Projects Local governments and watershed organizations can do emergency water projects when health is at risk. 103B.253 County Levy Authority County levies for watershed plans and projects are certified separately as special taxing district levies. 103B.255 Groundwater Plans Metro counties can prepare and adopt groundwater protection plans. 103B.301 Title Sections 103B.301 to 103B.355 are called the Comprehensive Local Water Management Act. 103B.305 Definitions Defines key terms used in the Comprehensive Local Water Management Act. 103B.311 County Water Planning and Management Each county is encouraged to develop a local water management plan covering its water resources. 103B.312 Identifying Priority Concerns The priority concerns document must list the water issues the plan will address and explain why. 103B.313 Plan Development The plan authority must notify local governments and hold public meetings during plan development. 103B.314 Contents of Plan Each water management plan must include an executive summary, goals, actions, and cost estimates. 103B.315 Comprehensive Water Plan Review and Adoption Water management plans go through a formal review and adoption process. 103B.321 Duties of the Board The board develops guidelines, coordinates state help, and resolves disputes about local water plans. 103B.325 Consistency of Local Plans and Controls With Local Water Management Plan Local governments must amend their water plans and rules to match the approved county water plan. 103B.331 Authority Under Approved Local Water Management Plans Counties with approved water plans can regulate water and land use where local plans are lacking. 103B.335 Tax Levy Authority Counties, cities, and townships can levy taxes to fund local water management plans and programs. 103B.3355 Wetland Functions for Determining Public Values Wetland public values are measured by water quality, flood control, habitat, recreation, and other functions. 103B.3361 Citation Sections 103B.3361 to 103B.3369 are the local water resources protection and management program. 103B.3363 Definitions Defines terms used in the local water resources protection and management program. 103B.3365 This section has been repealed or is reserved. 103B.3367 Water Plan Extensions The board can extend the deadline for revising a local or watershed water management plan. 103B.3369 Local Water Resources Restoration, Protection, and Management Program State agencies can give priority to local requests that follow an approved water management plan. 103B.341 Public Drainage Drainage improvement projects must follow chapter 103E, not the local water management act. 103B.345 Resolving Disputes Water plan disputes can be resolved informally with the board chair or through a formal hearing. 103B.351 This section has been repealed or is reserved. 103B.355 Application The Comprehensive Local Water Management Act does not apply in areas covered by metro water plans. 103B.451 South Dakota-minnesota Boundary Waters Commission Creates the South Dakota-Minnesota Boundary Waters Commission to manage shared border water levels. 103B.501 Lake Improvement Districts Sections 103B.501 to 103B.581 are the Lake Improvement District Law. 103B.505 Definitions Defines terms used in the Lake Improvement District Law. 103B.511 Administration by Commissioner The DNR oversees a statewide program for counties to create lake improvement districts. 103B.515 Initiation and Establishment by County Board A county board can create a lake improvement district by adopting a resolution of intent. 103B.521 Initiation by Petition and Establishment by County Board Property owners can petition the county board to create a lake improvement district. 103B.525 Establishing District in More Than One County When a lake spans multiple counties, the county boards can jointly create a lake improvement district. 103B.531 Creation by Commissioner of Natural Resources If a county rejects a lake district petition, property owners can appeal to the DNR commissioner. 103B.535 Order Establishing District The order creating a lake improvement district must state its name, boundaries, programs, and board structure. 103B.541 Publication and Effective Date The district creation order must be published in the local newspaper and filed with the state. 103B.545 Referendum on Establishment If 26% of property owners petition, a referendum must be held before the district can be established. 103B.551 Board of Directors Lake district boards are initially appointed, then elected by property owners at annual meetings. 103B.555 Financing Lake districts can raise money through special assessments, service charges, bonds, or property taxes. 103B.561 Voting by Joint County Boards Joint county board votes on lake district matters are based on population, not one vote per county. 103B.565 Enforcing Ordinances Lake district rules adopted jointly by multiple counties can be enforced by any affected county. 103B.571 Annual Meeting of District Lake improvement districts must hold an annual meeting in July or August. 103B.575 Expanding Lake Improvement District A lake improvement district can expand by following the same steps used to create a new district. 103B.581 Termination A lake improvement district can be terminated if a majority of property owners petition for it. 103B.601 Definitions Defines terms used in the Lake Minnetonka Conservation District sections. 103B.605 District The Lake Minnetonka Conservation District is a political subdivision that can sue, contract, and hold property. 103B.611 Board Each city on Lake Minnetonka appoints one member to the district's governing board. 103B.615 District Officers The Lake Minnetonka Conservation District board has broad powers to manage the lake. 103B.621 Treasurer The district can adopt rules for boating, water safety, and lake use on Lake Minnetonka. 103B.625 Executive Director The district can levy taxes on properties within its boundaries to fund lake programs. 103B.631 Performance of Duties and Expenses The district prepares an annual budget and reports its finances to member municipalities. 103B.635 District Funding The district can accept gifts, grants, and donations to fund lake conservation. 103B.641 District Regulations The district can hire employees and contract for services to carry out its programs. 103B.645 Prosecuting Violations The district can issue bonds to finance major lake improvement projects. 103B.651 Definitions Sets rules for regulating docks, moorings, and other structures on Lake Minnetonka. 103B.655 District The district can limit or restrict motorboat use on parts of Lake Minnetonka for safety. 103B.661 Board The district manages public access to Lake Minnetonka and coordinates with local governments. 103B.665 District Officers and Employees The district monitors water quality and takes action to prevent and control pollution. 103B.671 Treasurer The district can control aquatic plants and invasive species in Lake Minnetonka. 103B.675 Executive Director The district manages fish and wildlife habitat around Lake Minnetonka. 103B.681 Rules Sets enforcement procedures for district rules and ordinances on Lake Minnetonka. 103B.683 Prosecuting Violations The district can work with other government agencies on joint lake management projects. 103B.685 Performance of Duties and Expenses The district must prepare an annual report on its activities and finances. 103B.691 District Funding Sets transition rules for the Lake Minnetonka Conservation District's governing structure. 103B.701 Creates the Capitol Region Watershed District covering the area around the State Capitol. 103B.702 Sets the boundary and governance structure for the Capitol Region Watershed District. 103B.801 Comprehensive Watershed Management Planning Program Addresses the Sunrise River watershed management organization and its special provisions.