82a-1033. Extension or reduction of district territory by chief engineer, upon petition; hearing; filing of order. (a) The chief engineer shall have the power, upon proper petition being presented by the board for that purpose, to extend or reduce the territory of any groundwater management district organized and incorporated under the provisions of this act. The petition to extend or reduce the territory of any groundwater management district shall be addressed to the chief engineer and shall:

(1) Describe the territory to be annexed or removed by township, range and section numbers and fraction thereof and other platted areas as appropriate.

(2) Have a map attached thereto as an exhibit, and incorporated therein by reference, showing the district and the lands proposed to be annexed or removed.

(3) Show that the proposed extension or reduction of territory has been recommended by the district concerned by resolution duly adopted by its board.

(b) The chief engineer shall fix a time for a hearing upon the petition and the district shall give notice thereof for three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper or newspapers of general circulation within the district, the first publication to be at least twenty-eight (28) days before the day fixed for the hearing. The notice shall state the name and general location of the district and describe the lands proposed to be annexed or removed. It shall state that a hearing will be held on whether the petition of the district should be approved. It shall state the day, hour, and place of the hearing, which shall be at a suitable location, and that all persons may appear before the chief engineer at the hearing and be heard. If, after the hearing, the chief engineer finds that the area proposed to be annexed or removed meets other requirements as prescribed for the organization of a district, he or she shall approve the petition and fix the time when the annexation or reduction of territory shall become effective. A certified copy of his or her order approving the petition shall be sent to the board of directors and to the secretary of state. The board of directors shall file a copy of the order for record in the office of the register of deeds of each county in which the district, as modified, or any part thereof lies.

History: L. 1972, ch. 386, § 14; July 1.