Louisiana § RS 38:3087.343 - District as political subdivision and body corporate; purpose and powers

§ RS 38:3087.343. District as political subdivision and body corporate; purpose and powers

A.  The district shall be a political subdivision of the state of Louisiana, which shall have for its purpose the preservation, promotion, and development of the wealth and natural resources of the district by the conservation of the soil and water of Lake St. John for agricultural, recreational, commercial, and sanitary purposes and by the regulation of aquatic plant growth.

B.  It shall constitute a body corporate in law with all powers, rights, privileges, and immunities of a corporation.  It shall have the power to sue and be sued, to buy and sell, to levy taxes, to negotiate and execute contracts, and to incur debts and issue negotiable bonds in payment thereof under and in accordance with law.  It shall have the authority to acquire by purchase, donation, or otherwise every type and specie of property, including servitudes and rights-of-use, necessary to its purpose, and to lease, build, operate, and maintain any works or machinery designed to accomplish the purposes of the district.

C.  It shall have complete control over the supply of fresh water from Lake St. John which shall be administered for the benefit of the persons residing or owning property within the district, and if it should be for the benefit of the district, it shall have the authority to sell such water for irrigation, municipal, and industrial uses both within and outside the district.  However, the district shall have no authority to regulate or control any use by any municipality, district, or other person of such water supply which use was being made by such municipality, district, or other person on June 29, 2005, including no authority to charge or collect any fee or charge therefor.

D.  The district may cooperate and contract with the government of the United States or any department or agency thereof and accept grants and donations of property and money therefrom.  It may cooperate with the state of Louisiana or any political subdivision, department, agency, or corporation of the state for the management of the waters of Lake St. John and the  construction, operation, and maintenance of facilities designed to accomplish the purpose for which the district is created on any basis including the matching of funds and by participating in projects authorized by any federal or state law as it shall see fit.

Acts 2005, No. 214, §1, eff. June 29, 2005.