§54. Powers and duties

In addition to the duties and powers conferred upon the State Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, it shall have the following duties and powers:   [PL 1969, c. 477, §1 (AMD); PL 1995, c. 532, §17 (AMD); PL 2011, c. 657, Pt. W, §5 (REV).]

1.  Assistance.  To offer such assistance as may be appropriate to the supervisors of soil and water conservation districts in the carrying out of any of their powers and programs, and to enter into such agreements as may be appropriate with such districts, with land occupiers and with other state and federal agencies;

[PL 1965, c. 190, §9 (AMD).]

2.  Information to supervisors.  To keep the supervisors of each of the several districts organized under this chapter informed of the activities and experience of all other districts, and to facilitate an interchange of advice and experience between such districts and cooperation between them;

3.  Coordination.  To coordinate the programs of the several districts so far as this may be done by advice and consultation;

4.  United States and state agencies.  To secure the cooperation and assistance of the United States and any of its agencies, and of agencies of this State, in the work of such districts, and in carrying out the functions of the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry under this chapter; to accept grants, services and materials from any source;

[PL 1995, c. 532, §§12, 17 (AMD); PL 2011, c. 657, Pt. W, §5 (REV).]

5.  Encourage districts.  To disseminate information throughout the State concerning the activities and programs of the districts, and to encourage the formation of such districts in areas where their organization is desirable;

6.  Control measures.  To carry out preventive and control measures and works of improvement for the control and prevention of soil erosion, flood prevention, or the conservation, development, utilization and disposal of water;

7.  Surveys.  To conduct surveys, investigations and research relating to the character of soil erosion and floodwater and sediment damages and to the conservation, development, utilization and disposal of water and the preventive and control measures and works of improvement needed, to publish the results of such surveys, investigations and research, and to disseminate information concerning such preventive and control measures and works of improvement;

8.  Options; purchases.  In addition to any powers conferred by Title 7, section 19, to obtain options upon and to acquire by purchase, exchange, lease, gift, grant, bequest, devise or otherwise any property or rights or interests therein; to maintain, administer and improve any properties acquired; to receive income from such properties and to expend such income in carrying out the purposes and provisions of this chapter; and to sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of any of its real or personal property or interests therein, in furtherance of the purpose and provisions of this chapter, including the conveyance, with or without consideration, of lands or interests therein to soil and water conservation districts for use in carrying out their authorized purposes;

[PL 1995, c. 532, §13 (AMD).]

9.  Structures.  To construct, improve, operate and maintain such structures as may be necessary or convenient for the prevention of floodwater and sediment damages and for the conservation, development and utilization of the water impounded by such structures for irrigation, recreation, wildlife, municipal and industrial uses;

10.  Fund.  To have supervision and control of the Soil and Water Conservation Districts Fund which shall consist of all moneys appropriated thereto, and any moneys received as donations, repayments of loans or from other sources. The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry may use such fund for carrying out any of its authorized functions, for furnishing financial and other assistance to districts, for making allocations of funds to districts, and for making loans to districts under such terms and conditions as the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry may prescribe. Any balance in this fund, except moneys appropriated by the State, shall not lapse but shall be carried forward from year to year to be expended for the purposes set forth in this subchapter;

[PL 1969, c. 477, §1 (AMD); PL 1995, c. 532, §17 (AMD); PL 2011, c. 657, Pt. W, §5 (REV).]

11.  Sponsor.  To serve as a sponsoring or cosponsoring local organization, within the meaning of the term as used in Public Law 566, as amended, Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act, and to serve as a sponsoring or cosponsoring local organization where a watershed is situated wholly or in part within the geographical boundaries of any unorganized territory or territories.

[PL 1979, c. 541, Pt. A, §115 (AMD).]

12.  Entry on lands and structures.  The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry or its authorized agents shall have the right to enter upon any private or public lands for the purpose of inspecting dams and appurtenant structures. The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry shall seek the permission of the landowner, prior to exercising this right and shall not exercise this right until a reasonable effort has been made to obtain said permission.

[PL 1973, c. 103, §1 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 532, §17 (AMD); PL 2011, c. 657, Pt. W, §5 (REV).]

SECTION HISTORY

PL 1965, c. 190, §§8-10 (AMD). PL 1967, c. 494, §11 (AMD). PL 1969, c. 477, §1 (AMD). PL 1973, c. 103, §1 (AMD). PL 1979, c. 541, §A115 (AMD). PL 1995, c. 532, §§12,13,17 (AMD). PL 2011, c. 657, Pt. W, §5 (REV).