If it appears to the department, after a review of the request, that a feasible plan for the impoundment, utilization, and conservation of surplus water will involve the water in counties or local units other than those making the request, the department shall so inform the requestors. If the request was originally made by a local unit only, the board of the county in which the local unit is situated shall be informed of the decision of the department; and unless the board joins in the request and becomes an originator of the request, the department shall discontinue any further work on the survey. The requesting board may then request the other boards to join in the request so that a complete survey of the surplus water located in all affected counties may be made. Refusal on the part of any of the other boards to join in the request shall be reported to the department, and if the department believes that the plan can be effectuated without the cooperation of the refusing boards, the department shall enter a decision to that effect and the boards requesting the survey may proceed in accordance with this part.