It is hereby declared, as a matter of legislative determination: that East Central Mississippi is almost totally lacking in public parks, playgrounds, campgrounds, and related recreational facilities for citizens of the area to enjoy; that the area has therein a natural setting for the creation of all such recreational needs, particularly is this so in the Bienville National Forest comprising approximately one hundred ninety thousand (190,000) acres lying and being situated in four (4) East Central Mississippi counties; that by creation of this district, counties in East Central Mississippi will be empowered to acquire the use of this beautiful forest for regular use by all of the citizens of this state and frequent use by tourists who heretofore have had to seek their outdoor recreational pleasures in other places in distant states; that the creation of the Bienville Recreational District, with adequate but reasonable powers, with local assistance, cooperation and taxation, will greatly enhance the economic development and growth of the area; and that as a matter of public policy, the general welfare of the state warrants the enactment of this chapter.

The Bienville Recreational District may hereafter be created in East Central Mississippi under authority of this chapter and in the manner hereinafter provided. The counties eligible to become member counties of the district are those four (4) counties in which any part of the Bienville National Forest lies and other counties in Mississippi that are contiguous or nearly contiguous to said four (4) counties. Once created, the Bienville Recreational District shall be an agency of the state and a body politic and corporate.