As Amended
SEC. 51-23-1. Legislative determination and declaration of policy.
It is hereby declared, as a matter of legislative determination, that the waterways and surface waters of the state are among its basic resources; that the overflow and surface waters of the state have not heretofore been conserved to realize their full beneficial use; that the utilization, development, conservation, and regulation of such waters are necessary to relieve unemployment, promote the balanced economic development, and promote the development of commerce and shipping of the state, and to aid in the development of navigation. It is further determined and declared that the preservation, conservation, storage, and regulation of the waters of the Lower Yazoo River, its tributaries, and their overflow waters for commercial, municipal, industrial, agricultural, and manufacturing purposes, for navigation, and for the promotion of the development of a navigable channel in the Lower Yazoo River are, as a matter of public policy, for the general welfare of the entire people of the state. The term "Lower Yazoo River Basin," when used in this chapter, shall apply to those lands lying within the watershed of the Yazoo River as same flows through Leflore County southward to the Mississippi. The term "Lower Yazoo River," when used in this chapter, shall apply to said river as it flows through Leflore County southward to the Mississippi.
It is hereby further declared, as a matter of legislative determination, that the creation of the Lower Yazoo River Basin District is determined to be necessary and essential to the accomplishment of the aforesaid purposes and that this chapter operates on a subject in which the state at large is interested.
SOURCES: Codes, 1942, Sec. 5956-351; Laws, 1966, Ex. Sess., ch. 49, Sec. 1, eff from and after passage (approved January 5, 1967).
1997 Amendment:
SECTION 7. Sections 51-23-1, 51-23-3, 51-23-5, 51-23-7, 51-23-9, 51-23-11, 51-23-13, 51-23-15 and 51-23-17, Mississippi Code of 1972, which establish legislative intent and policy for the Lower Yazoo 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creation of the district, payments to the district, expenses of the district and powers and duties of the district, are repealed.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 7, SB2937, Effective July 1, 1997.