§22-26-9. Regional water resources management plans; critical planning areas.

(a) As part of the state Water Resources Management Plan, the secretary may designate areas of the state as regional or critical water planning areas for the development of regional or critical area water resources management plans.

(b) The secretary shall establish a timetable for completion of regional and critical area plans which may be developed.

(c) The secretary shall identify all federal and state agencies, county commissions, municipal governments and watershed associations that should be involved in the planning process and any compacts or interstate agreements that may be applicable to the development of a regional or critical area water resource management plan.

(d) The secretary shall establish the minimum requirements for any issues to be addressed by regional and critical area plans within twelve months of the amendment and reenactment of this article during the two thousand eight regular session of the Legislature. The plan requirements and issues to be addressed by regional and critical area plans shall be consistent with the state plan requirements of this article.

(e) The secretary shall establish timetables for the completion of tasks or phases in the development of regional and critical area plans. County commissions and municipal governments may recommend changes in the order in which the tasks and phases must be completed. The secretary shall have final authority to determine the schedule for development of a plan.

(f) Any county or municipal government may enter into an agreement with the secretary to designate a local planning area and develop a local plan which may include all or part of a region. The secretary shall assist in development of any such plan to the extent practicable with existing staff and funding.

(g) Plans developed by a county or municipal government shall comply with the secretary's requirements and shall be filed as part of the state Water Resources Management Plan.