[§342D-19]  Effect of laws, ordinances, andrules.  (a)  All laws, ordinances, and rules inconsistent with this chaptershall be void and of no effect.

(b)  Any county may adopt ordinances and rulesgoverning any matter relating to water pollution control which is not governedby a rule of the department adopted pursuant to this chapter; provided that anycounty ordinance or rule relating to water pollution control shall be void andof no effect as to any matter regulated by a rule of the department upon theadoption thereof except as provided in subsection (c).

(c)  Any county desiring to administer its ownlaws, ordinances, and rules on the design, construction, and operation ofsewerage and treatment facilities may submit to the director a full and completedescription of the program it proposes to establish and administer under countylaw.  In addition, the county shall submit a statement from its corporationcounsel or county attorney that the laws of the county provide adequateauthority and the standards are equal to or more stringent than the standardsof the department to carry out the described program.  The director shallapprove each such submitted program unless the director determines that eitheradequate authority does not exist or the proposed standards are less stringentthan those of the department. [L 1989, c 212, pt of §2]