The board of county commissioners of any county that has no weather modification authority may create a temporary weather modification authority by setting a time and place for a public hearing, publishing at least ten days before the hearing notice of the hearing in the official newspaper of the county, and after the public hearing, approving establishment of the authority by majority vote. Upon approval, the board of county commissioners shall designate a water resource district to serve as the temporary weather modification authority. The designated district has all the powers granted to a weather modification authority under sections 61-04.1-23 through 61-04.1-32.

A temporary weather modification authority created under this section may conduct weather modification operations within the county for up to four years from the date of the creation of the temporary authority. To continue operating beyond the four-year period, the temporary authority must be made permanent in accordance with sections 61-04.1-23 through 61-04.1-32.