Wikipedia confirms that the Dutch water boards are indeed a highly significant form of local government... > Punishments meted out by water boards were fines f

Wikipedia confirms that the Dutch water boards are indeed a highly significant form of local government... > Punishments meted out by water boards were fines for misdemeanors such as emptying waste in the nearest canal; however, according to various historical documents, the death penalty was used more than once for serious offenders who threatened dike safety or water quality