61-16.1-23. Appeal to department of water resources

61-16.1-23. Appeal to department of water resources Within twenty days after the meeting at which the water resource board approves the final assessment list required under section 61-16.1-22: 1. Affected landowners and any political subdivision subject to assessment, having not less than thirty-three percent of the possible votes as determined by section 61-16.1-20, which believe the assessment was not made fairly or equitably or the project is not located or designed properly, may appeal to the department of water resources by petition to review the assessments and examine the location and design of the proposed project. Upon receipt of the petition the department shall examine the lands assessed and the location and design of the proposed project, and if it appears the assessments were not made equitably, the department may correct the assessments, and the department's correction and adjustment of the assessment is final. If the department believes the project was located or designed improperly, the department may order a relocation and redesign that must be followed in the construction of the proposed project. 2. Upon filing a bond for two hundred fifty dollars with the board for the payment of the costs of the department in the matter, any landowner or political subdivision claiming the landowner or political subdivision will receive no benefit from the construction of a new project may appeal that issue to the department. Upon an appeal by an individual landowner or political subdivision, the department may determine whether there is any benefit to the landowner or political subdivision, but not the specific amount of benefit. The determination of the department regarding whether there is a benefit is final. 3. Before filing an appeal under this section, a landowner or political subdivision that meets the threshold for filing an appeal under this section may request assistance from the North Dakota mediation service to resolve grievances arising from the final assessment list. If the North Dakota mediation service agrees to assist the aggrieved person, the water resource board shall participate in good faith in the mediation. Requesting assistance or engaging in mediation under this section is not a prerequisite or a bar to appealing to the department under this section. Deadlines to initiate appeals are not tolled by a person requesting assistance from the North Dakota mediation service under this section.