As Amended
SEC. 51-17-15. Powers of district.
The Big Black River Basin District, through its board of directors, is hereby empowered:
(a) To develop in conjunction with the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, U. S. Secretary of Agriculture, U. S. Secretary of Interior, or with such other federal or state agency as may be involved, plans for public works of improvement for the preservation, conservation, development, storage, and regulation of soil and waters within the Big Black River Basin, including the impoundage, diversion, flowage, and distribution of waters for beneficial use, the development of waters for navigation, and the prevention of flood water damage; to enter into agreements with the United States of America, as represented by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers or by such other federal agency as may be involved, to meet the requirements of local cooperation for flood control and navigation projects or other use of water as set out and authorized by public law of the United States, as now or hereafter amended.
(b) To sue and be sued in its corporate name.
(c) To adopt, use, and alter a corporate seal.
(d) To make bylaws for the management and regulation of its affairs.
(e) To make or cause to be made or to cooperate in making engineering surveys, feasibility studies and cost-benefit estimates relating to the construction of dams, reservoirs, works, plants, or any other necessary related facilities for controlling, storing, using, and distributing, including to adjacent basins, the waters within the Big Black River Basin, or for the prevention of flood water damage, or for navigation therein, or for the use of its water resources for recreational purposes; and to advance funds and personnel to any cooperating agency for the purposes of accelerating of planning of any small watershed projects.
(f) To acquire by purchase, lease, gift, or in other manner, other than by condemnation, and to maintain, use, and operate any and all property of any kinds, real, personal, or mixed, or any interest therein within the boundaries of the district necessary for the purposes of the district.
(g) To make contracts and to execute instruments necessary to the exercise of the powers, rights, privileges, and functions conferred upon the district by this chapter.
(h) To apply for and accept grants or loans from the United States of America or from any corporation or agency created or designated by the United States of America, and to ratify and accept applications heretofore or hereafter made by voluntary associations to such agencies for grants to construct, maintain, or operate any project or projects which hereafter may be undertaken or contemplated by said district.
(i) To employ engineers and attorneys and all agents and employees necessary to the exercising of the powers, rights, privileges, or functions conferred upon the district by this chapter.
(j) To do any and all other acts or things necessary to the exercising of the powers, rights, privileges, or functions conferred upon the district by this chapter or any other law.
SOURCES: Codes, 1942, Sec. 5956-227; Laws, 1964, ch. 249, Sec. 7, eff from and after passage (approved June 1, 1964).
1997 Amendment:
SECTION 2. Sections 51-17-1, 51-17-3, 51-17-5, 51-17-7, 51-17-9, 51-17-11, 51-17-15 and 51-17-17, Mississippi Code of 1972, which establish legislative intent and policy for the Big Black River Basin District, authorize the organization of the district and specify which counties may become part of the district, and provide for a board of directors, creation of the district, payments to the district, expenses of the district and powers and duties of the district, are repealed.
SOURCE: 1997 Laws, Chapter 403, Section 2, SB2937, Effective July 1, 1997.