(a) It is hereby declared that the provisions of General Statutes Chapter 139 were intended to authorize the maintenance of watershed improvement works and projects, as well as watershed improvement structures. All expenditures heretofore incurred by any local watershed sponsor for any such maintenance of works, projects, or structures are hereby validated and confirmed.

(b) The proceeds of any tax heretofore approved by the voters of a  county for a county watershed improvement program, or authorized by special or local act for a county watershed improvement program, may be expended for such maintenance of works and projects, as well as structures, if the board of county commissioners or other watershed governing body after a public hearing determines that the proceeds should be so expended. Notice of such hearing shall be published as provided for notices under Article 2 of General Statutes Chapter 139.

(c) The proceeds of any tax hereafter approved by the voters of a county for a watershed improvement program may be expended for such maintenance of works and projects, as well as structures, with or without the holding of a public hearing as designated by subsection (b) of this section, even though any election procedures preliminary to the vote approving the tax may have been initiated prior to the ratification of this section.

(d) No action based on the alleged invalidity of the expenditures herein confirmed or of the use of tax proceeds herein authorized shall lie after January 1, 1970, to enjoin or contest any such expenditure or any such use of tax proceeds. (1969, c. 711, s. 1.)