Senate Bill 967 aims to enhance local authority over artificial water bodies created by dams and address issues related to flooding caused by obstructions in natural watercourses. The bill allows town boards to set the maximum water elevation for such artificial water bodies if they determine that the water level is causing saturation of highway road beds within the town. This provision is established under the newly created statute 82.03 (5) (ag), which overrides existing regulations in section 31.02 (2).

Additionally, the bill amends current law regarding the removal of obstructions in natural watercourses. It specifies that damages must be due to ground or surface water flooding, thereby clarifying the conditions under which landowners can request the removal of obstructions. The existing statute 88.90 (1) is modified to reflect this change, ensuring that the process for addressing such obstructions is more clearly defined. The bill also includes a renumbering of a related statute, moving 82.03 (5) (c) to 82.03 (5) (b) 3.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 88.90(1), 88.90