New Jersey § 4:24-22

§ 4:24-22.

A soil conservation district organized under the provisions of this chapter shall

constitute a governmental subdivision of this State, and a public body corporate and

politic, exercising public powers, and such district, and the supervisors thereof,

shall have the following powers, in addition to others granted in other sections of

this chapter: a. To conduct surveys, investigations, and research relating to the character of soil

erosion and the preventive and control measures needed, to publish the results of

such surveys, investigations, or research, and to disseminate information concerning

such preventive and control measures; provided, however, that in order to avoid duplication

of research activities, no district shall initiate any research program except in

co-operation with the agricultural experiment stations or any other agency of this

State, as may be dealing with allied problems; b. To conduct in co-operation with existing State agencies, projects within the district

on lands owned or controlled by this State or any of its agencies, with the co-operation

of the agency administering and having jurisdiction thereof, and on any other lands

within the district upon obtaining the consent of the owner thereof, or those who

have rights or interests in such lands, in order to demonstrate methods of soil erosion

control; c. To carry out preventive and control measures within the district including but

not limited to, engineering operations, methods of cultivation, the growing of vegetation,

changes in use of land, on lands owned or controlled by this State or any of its agencies,

with the co-operation of the agency administering and having jurisdiction thereof,

and on any other lands within the district; d. To co-operate, or enter into agreements with, and within the limits of appropriations

duly made available to it by law, to furnish financial or other aid to, any agency,

governmental or otherwise, or any owner of lands within the district, in the carrying

on of erosion control and prevention operations within the district, subject to such

conditions as the supervisors may deem necessary to advance the purposes of this chapter; e. To acquire machinery and other necessary personal property, to make provision for

its safekeeping and to dispose of said property when no longer needed; f. To make available, on such terms as it shall prescribe, to landowners within the

district, agricultural and engineering machinery and equipment, as will assist such

landowners to carry on operations upon their lands for the conservation of soil resources

and for the prevention and control of soil erosion; g. To construct, improve, and maintain such structures as may be necessary or convenient

for the performance of any of the operations authorized in this chapter; h. To develop comprehensive plans for the conservation of soil resources and for the

control and prevention of soil erosion within the district, which plans shall specify

in such detail as may be possible, the acts, procedures, performances, and avoidances

which are necessary or desirable for the effectuation of such plans, including the

specifications of engineering operations, methods of cultivation, the growing of vegetation,

cropping programs, tillage practices, and changes in use of land; and to publish

such plans and information and bring them to the attention of owners of lands within

the district; i. To develop site plans for the construction, operation and maintenance of proposed

leaf composting facilities located on agricultural or horticultural land, or on lands

owned or operated by a recognized academic institution, as required pursuant to section

7 of P.L.1989, c. 151 ( C. 4:24-22.1 ); and to conduct an annual inspection of each operational facility within the district

authorized by the Department of Environmental Protection in order to certify to the

department that the facility is in compliance with the rules and regulations adopted

by the department therefor and is operating in conformance with recommended agricultural

management practices; j. To act as agent for the United States, or any of its agencies, or for this State

or any of its agencies, in connection with any soil-conservation, erosion-control,

or erosion-prevention project within its boundaries; to accept payments, donations,

gifts, and contributions in money, services, materials, or otherwise, from the United

States or any of its agencies, or from this State or any of its agencies, or from

any governmental subdivision or its agencies, or from any corporation, association,

group or individual, and to use or expend such moneys, services, materials, or other

contributions in carrying on its operations; k. To sue and be sued in the name of the district; to have a seal, which seal shall

be judicially noticed; to have perpetual succession unless terminated as hereinafter

provided; to make and execute contracts and other instruments, necessary or convenient

to the exercise of its powers; to make, and from time to time amend and repeal, rules

and regulations, not inconsistent with this chapter, to carry into effect its purposes

and powers; l . To acquire, by gift, devise, purchase or condemnation, any real property located

within the district, or any interest or estate therein, which is required for the

proper exercise by the district of its powers; provided, however, that the district

shall not acquire any real property, or interest or estate therein, by condemnation

without first obtaining the approval of the Secretary of Agriculture and the Commissioner

of Environmental Protection; m. As a condition to the extending of any benefits under this chapter, to, or the

performance of work upon, any lands not owned or controlled by this State or any of

its agencies, the supervisors may require contributions in money, services, materials,

or otherwise to any operations conferring such benefits, and may require landowners

to enter into and perform such agreements or covenants as to the permanent use of

such lands as will tend to prevent or control erosion thereon; n. To borrow money for the purchase of equipment, either with or without security; o . No provisions with respect to the acquisition, operations, or disposition of property

by other public bodies shall be applicable to a district organized hereunder unless

the Legislature shall specifically so state.