§3087.76. Powers of board

A. In order to accomplish the purposes for which the district is created, the board of commissioners may:

(1) Purchase, acquire by donation, hold, sell, and convey immovable and movable property and execute such contracts as it may deem necessary or convenient to enable it to properly carry out the purposes for which it is created.

(2) Acquire servitudes, rights of use, and flowage rights, by purchase, by donation, by assignment for the district, or otherwise.

(3) Assist in conserving soil and water and in developing the water resources of the district; however, nothing shall be done to interfere with districts or municipalities previously organized under Louisiana law.

(4) Under the supervision of the Department of Transportation and Development, contract for the construction of proposed works and improvements.

(5) Cooperate with the Department of Transportation and Development and other state agencies in the maintenance or improvement and the construction of any works or improvements for the control, retention, diversion, or utilization of water; retard runoff of water and soil erosion, construct any ditch, channel improvement, dike, dam, or levee, and repair, improve, and maintain any of said improvements or structures.

(6) Employ and hire secretarial, clerical, and other such personnel as may be necessary in the operation of the business of the district and fix their compensation; employ engineers, attorneys, and other professional personnel as necessary and fix their compensation. Appoint, hire, designate, and empower wardens, rangers, patrols, and such other personnel as may be deemed necessary by the commission for the enforcement of such regulations as may be promulgated and adopted by said commission.

(7) Cooperate and contract with persons, firms, associations, partnerships and private corporations, and cities of this state, or other public corporations, and with any other local, state, and governmental agencies for the sale or use of any waters impounded by the district.

(8) Select a domicile and home office for the district.

(9) Create, construct, and administer such recreational parks, playgrounds, and public picnic areas as the board may consider necessary; provide all other facilities to accommodate the public; and provide adequate access to any lake or reservoir created by the district for the use of the public.

(10) Grant franchises to telephone, telegraph, cable, and electric power companies and grant franchises for the purposes of laying gas, sewer, electricity, or other utilities to supply the inhabitants or any person or corporation with gas, water, sewerage, and electricity, when such construction is within the district. Nothing contained in this Part shall affect the vested rights of any corporation which, pursuant to R.S. 45:781(A), has constructed, and maintains and operates telegraph, telephone, and other lines for the transmission of intelligence prior to August 15, 1995.

(11) Do and perform any and all things necessary or incident to the fulfillment of the purposes for which this district is created, including all acts necessary to construct, lease, acquire in any manner, maintain, and operate dikes, dams, reservoirs, storage basins, locks, levees, flumes, conduits, spillways, or other structures necessary, suitable, or convenient to the purposes of the district.

B. The Caddo Lake Watershed District shall have, with respect to the improvements and maintenance of the district, the advice of the Department of Transportation and Development, and it shall request from time to time the assistance of the department to make such surveys, inspections, and investigations, render such reports, estimates, and recommendations, and furnish such plans and specifications as the board of commissioners of said district may request.

Acts 1995, No. 345, §1.