The state, acting through the director of natural resources, subject to section 1506.46 of the Revised Code, may enter into agreements with counties, townships, municipal corporations, park boards, and conservancy districts, other political subdivisions, or any state departments or divisions for the purpose of constructing and maintaining projects to control erosion along the Ohio shoreline of Lake Erie and in any rivers and bays that are connected with Lake Erie and any other watercourses that flow into Lake Erie. Such projects also may be constructed on any Lake Erie island that is situated within the boundaries of the state.

The cost of such shore erosion projects that are for the benefit of public littoral property shall be prorated on the basis of two-thirds of the total cost to the state through appropriations made to the department of natural resources and one-third of the cost to the counties, townships, municipal corporations, park boards, conservancy districts, or other political subdivisions.

If a shore erosion emergency is declared by the governor, the state, acting through the director, may spend whatever state funds are available to alleviate shore erosion, without participation by any political subdivision, regardless of whether the project will benefit public or private littoral property.

A board of county commissioners, acting for the county over which it has jurisdiction, may enter into and carry out agreements with the director for the construction and maintenance of projects to control shore erosion. In providing the funds for the county's proportionate share of the cost of constructing and maintaining the projects referred to in this section, the board shall be governed by and may issue and refund bonds in accordance with Chapter 133. of the Revised Code.

A municipal corporation or a township, acting through the legislative authority or the board of township trustees, may enter into and carry out agreements with the director for the purpose of constructing and maintaining projects to control shore erosion. In providing the funds for the municipal corporation's or township's proportionate share of the cost of constructing and maintaining the projects referred to in this section, a municipal corporation or township may issue and refund bonds in accordance with Chapter 133. of the Revised Code. The contract shall be executed on behalf of the municipal corporation or township by the mayor, city manager, or other chief executive officer who has the authority to act for the municipal corporation or township.

Conservancy districts may enter into and carry out agreements with the director, in accordance with the intent of this section, under the powers conferred upon conservancy districts under Chapter 6101. of the Revised Code.

Park boards may enter into and carry out agreements with the director, in accordance with the intent of this section, and issue bonds for that purpose under the powers conferred upon park districts under Chapter 1545. of the Revised Code.

The director shall approve and supervise all projects that are to be constructed in accordance with this section. The director shall not proceed with the construction of any project until all funds that are to be paid by the county, township, municipal corporation, park board, or conservancy district, in accordance with the terms of the agreement entered into between the director and the county, township, municipal corporation, park board, or conservancy district, are in the director's possession and deposited in the shore erosion fund, which is hereby created in the state treasury. If the director finds it to be in the best interests of the state to construct projects as set forth in this section by the state itself, without the financial contribution of counties, townships, municipal corporations, park boards, or conservancy districts, the director may construct the projects.

In deciding whether to assist a county or municipal corporation in constructing and maintaining a project under this section, the state, acting through the director, shall consider, among other factors, whether the county or municipal corporation has adopted or is in the process of adopting a Lake Erie coastal erosion area resolution or ordinance under division (D) of section 1506.07 of the Revised Code.

All projects constructed by the state in conformity with sections 1506.38 to 1506.46 of the Revised Code shall be constructed subject to sections 153.01 to 153.20 of the Revised Code, except that the Ohio facilities construction commission is not required to prepare the plans and specifications for those projects.

Amended by 129th General AssemblyFile No.127, HB 487, §101.01, eff. 9/10/2012.

Effective Date: 2007 HB119 09-29-2007