(a) On and after January 1, 1990, the state of Kansas shall provide state environmental protection grants to local health departments or other local entities for the purpose of developing and implementing environmental protection plans and programs. A local entity or the Kansas department of health and environment may enter into contracts to develop, implement or carry out any elements of the local environmental protection plan or program.

(b) The governing board of any local health department or other local entity desiring to receive a state environmental protection grant pursuant to this act shall indicate its intent to develop an environmental protection plan to implement the environmental protection strategy of the state water plan. An environmental protection plan should include, but not be limited to, the sanitary code, subdivision water and wastewater plan, solid waste management plan, hazardous waste management plan, public water supply protection plan and nonpoint source pollution control plan.

(c) A local health department or other local entity may request certification by the secretary that it has an approved environmental protection plan and is prepared to assume a program of permitting, inspection, compliance and enforcement of specified elements of the department’s environmental protection plan. The secretary shall provide guidance on achieving environmental results for certification of local programs and audit annually each local program based on achievement of environmental results.

(d) The secretary of health and environment may adopt such rules and regulations as necessary for the administration of this section.