Subd. 1. Findings.

The legislature finds that:

1. (1) the Mississippi River from its outlet at Lake Itasca, Clearwater County, to the southerly boundary of Morrison County, Minnesota, possesses outstanding and unique natural, scientific, historical, recreational and cultural values deserving of protection and enhancement;
2. (2) the counties of Clearwater, Hubbard, Beltrami, Cass, Itasca, Aitkin, Crow Wing, and Morrison have entered into a joint powers agreement pursuant to law to develop a plan for the protection and enhancement of the foregoing values; and
3. (3) the plan adopted by the counties pursuant to the joint powers agreement establishes guidelines and minimum standards for cooperative local management of this segment of the Mississippi River.

Subd. 2. Legislative intent.

It is the intent of sections 103F.361 to 103F.377 to authorize and direct the board and the counties to implement the plan for the Mississippi headwaters area.