Section 324.31105 - Watershed council; powersA watershed council may do 1 or more of the following:
(a) Conduct, or cause to be conducted, studies of the water resources of the watershed, including investigations of water uses, water quality, and the reliability of the water resource.(b) Prepare periodic reports concerning, among other things, trends in water use and availability, emerging water problems, and recommendations for appropriate public policies and programs necessary to maintain adequate water resources for the watershed area.(c) Request the department to survey the watershed for the purpose of determining minimum levels of stream flow necessary for health, welfare, and safety as provided in sections 31112 through 31117.(d) Recommend the creation of a river management district or districts under the provisions of sections 31106 through 31111 when the need for river management seems to warrant such an action.(e) Advise agencies of federal, state, and local units of government as to the council's view of the watershed's problems and needs.(f) Cooperate with federal, state, and local agencies in providing stream gauges, water quality sampling stations, or other water resource data-gathering facilities or programs that aid the council in its responsibility for studying and reporting on water conditions.(g) Employ an executive secretary and such other professional, administrative, or clerical staff, including consultants, as may be provided for in an approved budget.(h) Establish such subcommittees or advisory committees as are considered helpful in the discharge of its functions.(i) Establish special project funds as needed to finance special studies outside its annual budget capacity. For this purpose, the council may accept gifts and grants from any person.Add. 1995, Act 59, Imd. Eff. 5/24/1995 .