Miss. Code Ann. § 51-35-311 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 33 / Section 35-311
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-35-311
Status: in_force

The chancery court in which said petition shall be filed may hear the petition at any term thereof, or the chancellor of said court may fix a time to hear such petition at any time in vacation, may determine all matters pertaining thereto, may adjourn the hearing from time to time, and may continue the case for want of sufficient notice or other good cause; and if said petition shall prove defective in any manner, the petitioners, upon motion, shall be permitted to amend the same.

Upon the day set for hearing said petition, or a day to which same may be continued by the court or chancellor, all parties interested may appear and contest the same. If upon the hearing of such petition, it is found that such project is feasible from an engineering standpoint and practical, and if the creation of the flood and drainage control district under the terms of this article would meet a public necessity and would be conducive to the public welfare, such court or chancellor shall so find and shall make and enter an order upon the minutes of the said chancery court stating that the said district, under the proposed name thereof, should be organized subject to all of the terms and provisions of this article. The chancellor shall have the power to change, alter, enlarge, diminish, or otherwise vary the areas to be included in such district from those set forth in said petition in such a manner that said district shall best meet the public necessity and be conducive to the public welfare, as disclosed by the evidence at the hearing.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-63 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 27 / Section 29-63
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-63
Status: in_force

For the purpose of constructing and maintaining the ditches and other improvements provided for under this chapter, for carrying out the purposes and provisions of this chapter, and for paying for the work incident thereto, the said board of commissioners shall have power to borrow money and to issue its negotiable evidence of indebtedness or serial bonds therefor, not exceeding in amount the total amount of benefits assessed against all the real property in the district. Such bonds shall be in such sums and denominations of not less than one hundred dollars ($100.00) each as the said board of commissioners may prescribe, shall each be signed by the members of the said board of commissioners and bear the seal of its drainage district, and shall be made payable, either within or without the limits of this state, to the person or persons to whom sold, or bearer, or bearer simply, at the discretion of said board. No bond issued under the terms of this chapter shall run for more than thirty (30) years; and said bonds may be made to mature serially in such numbers as the board may elect, so that a portion thereof may mature each year as the assessments are collected. Such bonds shall not bear a greater overall maximum interest rate to maturity than that allowed in Section 75-17-101 , for which interest coupons may be attached, payable at such time and place as the board may contract, which interest coupons shall bear the facsimile signature of each member of the board of commissioners lithographed thereon. The said bonds may be sold or negotiated in any market in or out of the state at not less than their par value, provided, however, that the cost of lithographing or printing and the necessary expenses of selling said bonds may be incurred.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, bonds referred to hereinabove may be issued pursuant to the supplemental powers and authorizations conferred by the provisions of the registered bond act, being Sections 31-21-1 through 31-21-7 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-107 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 8 / Section 13-107
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-107
Status: in_force

(1) Within twenty (20) days after the passage of this article, the Mississippi Commission on Environmental Quality, State Board of Health, Mississippi Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, and the Forestry Commission of the State of Mississippi shall appoint their respective members to the proposed district board of directors as provided in Section 51-13-105 . The four (4) appointive members, upon taking the oath as provided, shall meet in the Office of the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality in Jackson, Mississippi, within ten (10) days and adopt by a majority vote a resolution setting forth their intentions of creating the district and shall forthwith send a certified copy of said resolution to: (1) each member of the Tombigbee Valley Authority as now constituted, (2) the Governor, (3) executive officers of the Mississippi Commission on Environmental Quality, Board of Health, Mississippi Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, and Forestry Commission, and (4) the president of the board of supervisors and chancery clerk of each county through which any part of the Tombigbee River or any of its tributaries lie. The four (4) state agencies herein named and the Tombigbee Valley Authority may, within ten (10) days from receipt of said resolution, adopt its own resolution favorable or unfavorable to the creation of said district; and the respective boards of supervisors may at their next regular meeting likewise adopt a resolution favorable or unfavorable to creating said district. All of said resolutions adopted shall be certified by its secretary, clerk, or executive officer and shall be filed with each state agency, political subdivision, or other agency named in Section 55-13-105.

(2) Every board of supervisors of those counties desiring to become members of the district, through which the Tombigbee River or any of its tributaries lie, shall, upon receipt of the certified resolutions mentioned in this section, declare said board's intentions by adopting a resolution expressing its desire to have said district created and to levy an ad valorem tax not to exceed one-half ( 1 / 2 ) mill on all the taxable property within the Tombigbee Watershed area of said county for the use and benefit of the Tombigbee River Valley Water Management District. The said resolution shall be published once each week for three (3) consecutive weeks in some newspaper published in the county and having a general circulation therein, and if no petition signed by twenty percent (20%) of the qualified electors of the county is filed with the board requesting the calling of an election on the question of the county's participation in the district and the levying of the one-half ( 1 / 2 ) mill tax levy aforesaid, the board may proceed to have the county become a member of said district and to levy the one-half ( 1 / 2 ) mill tax levy but if, within twenty-one (21) days after the date of the first publication of said resolution, a petition signed by at least twenty percent (20%) of the qualified electors of said county, requesting an election on the proposition of said county becoming a member of the proposed district and the levying of the one-half ( 1 / 2 ) mill tax as herein provided, is filed, said election shall be held and conducted as now provided by law for such elections. If such an election is held and a majority of those voting therein vote for the proposition, the board shall, by appropriate resolution, bring the county into the district and levy the one-half ( 1 / 2 ) mill tax as otherwise provided by law. If the majority of those voting in such election shall vote against the proposition, then the county shall not become a member of the district nor levy the one-half ( 1 / 2 ) mill tax; and no further election shall be so conducted until the lapse of two (2) years after the last election.

(3) Whenever an aggregate of six (6) counties have become members of the Tombigbee River Valley Water Management District in the manner provided in this section, the said district shall be created as an agency of the state and a body politic and corporate with all of the powers granted it by statute.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-189 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 2 / Section 9-189
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-189
Status: in_force

This act is for the purpose of authorizing the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District to construct, maintain and operate a water treatment plant and regional water distribution system to ensure an adequate and sanitary water supply for the Jackson metropolitan area. This act may be cited as the “Metropolitan Area Water Supply Act”.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-101 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 1 / Section 13-101
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-101
Status: in_force

It is hereby declared, as a matter of legislative determination, that the waterways and surface waters of the state are among its basic resources, that the overflow and surface waters of the state have not heretofore been conserved to realize their full beneficial use, that the utilization, development, conservation, and regulation of such waters are necessary to insure an adequate flood control program, sanitary water supply at all times, to promote the balanced economic development of the state, and to aid in conservation and development of state forests, irrigation of lands needing irrigation, navigation, and pollution abatement. It is further determined and declared that the preservation, conservation, storage, and regulation of the waters of the Tombigbee River, its tributaries, and its overflow waters for domestic, municipal, commercial, industrial, agricultural, and manufacturing purposes, for recreational uses, flood control, timber development, irrigation, navigation, and pollution abatement are, as a matter of public policy, for the general welfare of the entire people of the state.

The creation of the Tombigbee River Valley Water Management District is determined to be necessary and essential to the accomplishment of the aforesaid purposes, and this article operates on a subject in which the state at large is interested. All the terms and provisions of this article are to be liberally construed to effectuate the purposes herein set forth, this being a remedial law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-7-7 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 7 / Section 7-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-7-7
Status: in_force

A master water management district may be enlarged in the same manner as provided by law for the organization of such district. The petition shall be filed by the commissioners of the master water management district who shall represent in such petition all water management districts therein.

A master water management district may be reduced in the same manner, by petition signed by its members and publication as provided for by Section 51-7-11 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-7-3 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 3 / Section 7-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-7-3
Status: in_force

For the purposes of this chapter the following words and terms shall have these meanings:

(a) “Master water management district.” A governmental subdivision of this state and a public body, corporate and politic, created under the provisions of this chapter for the purposes set forth in Section 51-7-1 .

(b) “Drainage district.” Any drainage district organized under the laws of this state.

(c) “Water management district.” Any water management district created under the laws of this state.

(d) “Commissioner.” Unless otherwise indicated, one of the members of the governing board of a master water management district.

(e) “Landowner” or “owner of land.” Any person, firm, or corporation who shall hold legal or equitable title to any lands lying within a district organized under the provisions of this chapter.

(f) “Chancery court” or “chancellor.” The chancery court or chancellor acting in term time or vacation.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-11 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 9 / Section 9-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-11
Status: in_force

The board of supervisors of any of the several counties of this state bordering on the Pearl River, or through which the Pearl River flows, and the governing authority of any municipality within any such county are each respectively hereby authorized and empowered, in their sole discretion, to appropriate and donate such a sum of money as said board of supervisors or governing authority shall deem reasonable and advisable to assist any nonprofit, nonshare corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Mississippi for the purpose of planning and developing the resources and industrial, agricultural, and recreational potentials of the Pearl River. Any donation made by the board of supervisors of any county or the governing authority of any municipality under the authority of this section shall be evidenced by an order spread upon the minutes of said board or governing authority, and shall be paid out of general funds in their respective treasuries, to be drawn by warrant thereon payable directly to such a nonprofit, nonshare corporation.

Any additional tax levy made to support any appropriations or donations under authority of this section shall not be refundable under the homestead exemption laws of this state.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-3 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 25 / Section 29-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-3
Status: in_force

The words “real property”, whenever used in this chapter, shall have the same meaning as when used in the law providing for state and county revenues, and shall embrace all railroads within the district.

The word “ditch,” as used in this chapter, shall be held to include branch or lateral drains, tile drains, levees, sluiceways, water courses, floodgates, and any other construction work found necessary for the reclamation of wet and overflowed lands.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-151 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 2 / Section 9-151
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-151
Status: in_force

The board of directors of the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District is hereby authorized and empowered to negotiate and contract with the United States of America, or any agency thereof, concerning all lands, easements, and rights of way necessary for the relocation of any federal road, highway, parkway, or for the facilities appurtenant thereto.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-15 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 17 / Section 29-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-15
Status: in_force

When the chancery court or chancellor in vacation has established such district, he shall appoint three (3) owners of real property within the district to act as commissioners; and such persons, when so appointed, and their successors in office shall constitute, and are hereby declared to be, a body politic and corporate by the name and style selected as mentioned in this chapter, by the court or chancellor. Each of these commissioners shall take the oath of office as required by Section 268, Article 14 of the Constitution of the state, and shall also swear that he will not, directly or indirectly, be interested in any contract made by the board of commissioners save and except insofar as he may be benefited as a landowner, in common with other landowners, by the work contracted for, and that he will well and truly assess all benefits resulting from said improvements, and all damages caused thereby. Any commissioner failing to take oath within thirty (30) days after his appointment and to give bond in the sum of not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00), to be fixed by the court or chancellor, shall be deemed to have declined to act as commissioner, and his place shall be filled by the court or chancellor. Provided, however, where revenue for a drainage district is less than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) per year from taxes or other sources, the chancellor, in his discretion, may reduce the bond to any amount he may deem sufficient.

All vacancies on the board shall be filled by the chancery court, or the chancellor in vacation, of the county; but, if a majority in number of the owners of real property in the district shall petition for the appointment of particular persons as commissioners, it shall be the duty of the court or chancellor to appoint the persons so designated. In the same manner, the commissioners shall be appointed at the expiration of the term of said commissioners. A majority of the commissioners shall constitute a quorum. The chancery court, or chancellor in vacation, shall remove any member of the board of commissioners, on the petition of the majority of the owners of land in the district, who shall own a majority of the acreage therein.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-35-307 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 33 / Section 35-307
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-35-307
Status: in_force

Any municipality which may be, in whole or in part, a part of a proposed flood and drainage control district organized under the terms of this article, and when authorized by a resolution of a majority of its governing authorities, may petition the chancery court of the county in which the proposed district is located, or the chancery court of either county in which lands to be included in the proposed district are located if the lands to be included in the proposed district are located in two or more counties, to organize and establish a flood and drainage control district and shall set forth in the petition:

(a) The proposed name of the district and the areas to be included in the district, the areas to be that area directly or indirectly benefited by or protected from overflow or flood waters by the contemplated flood or drainage control improvements and any area which is necessary to be included in the district to carry out the purposes of this article. Any municipality or any part thereof, or any county or any part thereof, which is subject to overflow or flood from waters of any river or its tributaries, or which benefits from improvements, may be included in the district.

(b) The fact that a preliminary report or study to determine the engineering feasibility of constructing flood or drainage control improvements along any river or its tributaries has been made by a competent engineer or engineering firm, or any other competent institution or agency, and that such study or report shows that the construction of such facilities is feasible for flood and drainage control or for any of the other purposes or services contemplated by the legislative declaration of public policy in this article.

(c) The necessity and desirability for the construction of such facilities.

(d) A general description of the purposes of the contemplated works, a general description of the plan including the lands to be protected by said flood or drainage control improvements or otherwise affected thereby, and maps or plats showing the general location of any flood and drainage control improvements and related facilities. The word “ project ” when used herein shall mean the general plan and purposes of the flood and drainage control improvements and associated development, as set out in this petition to the chancery court, and the words “project area” shall mean the physical location of any levees, channels, drains, or related facilities and associated development, and those areas which are necessary to be included in the district to carry out the purposes of this article, and the area of the district as shown on the plats filed with the chancery court. The words “ related facilities ” as used in this article shall mean any facilities which are correlated with or used in connection with the project.

The petition shall be filed with as many copies as there are parties defendant. A copy of the preliminary report or study shall be attached to the original petition as an exhibit.

It shall not be necessary that any landowners in the counties to be included in said proposed district be named in the petition or made parties defendant. The chancellor of the chancery court in which said petition shall be filed shall have jurisdiction of the entire flood control district and project area for the purposes of this article. Such jurisdiction may be exercised by the chancellor in termtime or in vacation, as provided in this article.

In the event any part of the proposed flood and drainage control district lies outside the limits of the municipality filing the petition, the county or counties in which lie said lands outside said municipality shall be made a defendant to the petition by service on the clerk of the board of supervisors; however, should said county or counties join in said petition pursuant to a resolution of a majority of the members of the board of supervisors thereof, it shall not be necessary to make said county or counties a defendant to said petition.

In the event any part of said proposed flood and drainage control district lies within any municipality other than said municipality petitioning for the creation of said district, said municipality or municipalities not joining in said petition shall be made a defendant to said petition by service of process on the clerk of said municipality; however, should said municipality join in said petition pursuant to a resolution of a majority of the governing authorities thereof, it shall not be necessary to make said municipality a defendant to said petition.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-31-25 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 31 / Section 31-25
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-31-25
Status: in_force

Upon the petition being filed in the office of the clerk of said chancery court, said clerk shall cause three weeks' notice of the filing of said petition to be given, addressed “To all persons interested,” by posting notices thereof at the door of the courthouse of the county or counties in which the district is situated and in at least ten of the most public places in said proposed district, and also by publishing said notice at least once a week for three consecutive weeks in some newspaper or newspapers published in the county in which the larger part of said district lies, if there be any newspaper published in said county. Such notice shall state when and in what court said petition was and is filed, with the general description of the land included in the said proposed drainage district and the boundaries of said drainage district, and when the said petitioners will ask a hearing of said petition. If any of the landowners in said district are nonresidents of said county or counties in which said proposed district will lie, or nonresidents of this state, the petition shall be accompanied by an affidavit giving the names and post office address of said nonresidents, if known, and if unknown, stating that upon diligent inquiry their places of residence and post offices cannot be ascertained; and the clerk shall send a copy of the notice which has been published as above provided by registered mail to each of said nonresidents whose residence or post office is known, which notice shall be mailed by said clerk not later than five days before the date set for hearing of the petition. The certificate of the clerk, with registered letter receipts attached, or the affidavit of any other credible person affixed to copy of such notice shall be sufficient evidence of the posting, mailing, and publication of such notice.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-129 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 5 / Section 13-129
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-129
Status: in_force

The board of supervisors of each county becoming a member of the Tombigbee River Valley Water Management District shall pay or cause to be paid to the depository of said district a sum equal to one-half ( 1 / 2 ) mill on all of the taxable property within the Tombigbee Watershed area of the said county, beginning with the tax assessment for the calendar year 1964; and such payments shall be made and continued as long as there remains unpaid and outstanding any bonded indebtedness or obligations created by the district so created under this article. Any such board of supervisors shall provide the district the sum equal to the one-half ( 1 / 2 ) mill levy by appropriation of an equivalent sum from the general fund of the county.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-17 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 17 / Section 29-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-17
Status: in_force

The commissioners appointed as aforesaid shall hold their offices, one (1) for two (2) years, one (1) for four (4) years, and one (1) for six (6) years, from the date of their appointment and until their successors are appointed and qualified. On the expiration of their terms of office, their successors shall be appointed in like manner for the term of six (6) years thereafter. They shall hold their meetings at any time and place in the county or counties in which any part of the district is situated, upon the call of the president.

The commissioners herein provided for shall receive per diem compensation as provided by Section 25-3-69 , together with mileage as provided in Section 25-3-41 for the distance traveled from their homes to and from the place of meeting.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-31-119 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 17 / Section 31-119
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-31-119
Status: in_force

When one third of the landowners owning a majority of the acreage or a majority of the landowners owning a third of the acreage of real property within a proposed subdrainage district, composed of lands wholly within a drainage district or partly within and partly without such drainage district, shall petition the chancery court, or chancellor in vacation, and shall file a good bond to pay for the expense of the survey of the proposed subdrainage district in case the district is not formed, the said court or the chancellor in vacation shall enter an order directing the drainage commissioners of the county to cause a survey to be made and to ascertain the limits of the region which would be benefited by a proposed system of improvements, giving a general idea of its character, and the estimated costs of drainage, and making such suggestions as to the size of the drainage ditches and their location as the drainage commissioners may deem advisable. They shall file their report with the clerk of the chancery court of the county in which the greater portion of the territory proposed to be included in said subdrainage district is situate.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-137 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 9 / Section 9-137
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-137
Status: in_force

Bonds issued pursuant to this article shall not exceed twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000.00) in principal amount.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-99 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 17 / Section 29-99
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-99
Status: in_force

Any person who shall obstruct a drain or damage drainage work provided for by this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction thereof, be fined not more than one hundred dollars nor less than ten dollars; and he shall also be liable to the district for double the cost of removing such obstruction or repairing such damage.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-3-16 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 1 / Section 3-16
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-3-16
Status: in_force

The Bureau of Land and Water Resources through the Division of Regional Water Resources shall have the following duties and powers in assisting waterway, river basin and watershed authorities and districts:

(a) To offer such assistance as may be appropriate to the various authorities and districts, as set forth in Section 51-3-18, in the performance of any of their powers and programs;

(b) To keep the authorities and districts informed of the activities and experiences of all other such authorities and districts and to facilitate an interchange of experiences among such authorities and districts;

(c) To coordinate the programs of the various authorities and districts;

(d) 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 authorities and districts;

(e) To disseminate information throughout the state concerning the activities and programs of the various authorities and districts and to encourage the formation of such authorities and districts in areas where their organization is desirable;

(f) To seek and receive grants of monies, and other assets, from any legitimate sources for use in carrying out the purposes of this section;

(g) To distribute any appropriated or other funds or assets in its custody or under its control, from state, federal or other governmental agencies or political subdivisions thereof, or from private grants, appropriate in carrying out the purposes of this article, including matching funds to districts;

(h) To give guidance and overall supervision to districts when such assistance is requested, or acceptable;

(i) To provide technical assistance and information to the State Permit Board in the performance of its duties under this chapter;

(j) To receive, file and review permit applications and notices of claims and any other documents regarding water uses and rights;

(k) To serve as the repository for information gathered or filed under the provisions of this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-153 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 8 / Section 9-153
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-153
Status: in_force

The Pearl River Valley Water Supply District shall have authority to act jointly with political subdivisions of the state and agencies, commissions, and instrumentalities thereof, with other states, with municipalities, and with the federal government and other agencies thereof, in the performance of the purposes and services authorized in this article, upon such terms as may be agreed upon by the directors.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-5 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 7 / Section 13-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-5
Status: in_force

The authority shall be financed in all of its activities from funds made available by each of the associated counties, and each such county is authorized and empowered to contribute any amount or amounts which the board of supervisors thereof shall deem advisable, acting in their sole discretion, to be paid from the general county fund of the respective counties.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-147 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 13 / Section 13-147
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-147
Status: in_force

The provisions of any other law, general, special, or local, except as provided in this article, shall not limit or restrict the powers granted by this article. The water management district herein provided for shall not be subject to regulation or control by the public service commission.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-1 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 7 / Section 9-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-1
Status: in_force

There is created the Pearl River Industrial Commission, composed of Hinds, Leake, Madison, Neshoba, Rankin and such other counties in the state through which or bordering which the Pearl River runs. The Governor shall appoint one (1) member to the commission from each county from a list of three (3) names to be submitted by the board of supervisors in each participating county. The three (3) names submitted by the board of supervisors of Madison County and the board of supervisors of Rankin County shall be the names of persons who reside on and are holders of residential leases from the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District that are located in Madison County and Rankin County, respectively, or who reside in established subdivisions in Madison County and Rankin County, respectively, in which some of the residential property of the subdivision is leased from the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District. In his appointment the Governor shall designate the chairman and vice chairman of the commission. Each member of the commission shall serve for a term concurrent with that of the Governor. The board of supervisors in any county through which or by which the Pearl River runs, other than those counties named above, may bring that county in as a member of the commission by resolution presented to the Governor; and the board of supervisors in such county may, in its discretion, call an election before taking such action, the election to be held as nearly as possible in the same manner other elections are held in the county.

The member appointed from Madison County who is serving on July 1, 2012, shall continue to serve until January 1, 2013, after which date the Governor shall appoint a member from Madison County who meets the residency requirements of this section. The person appointed under the provisions of this paragraph shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-165 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 2 / Section 9-165
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-165
Status: in_force

(1) There is created in the State Treasury a special fund to be known as the Ross Barnett Reservoir Dredging Fund. The fund shall consist of the monies deposited into the fund as provided in subsection (2) of this section and any other monies appropriated or otherwise made available for the fund by the Legislature. The fund shall be administered and expended by the Board of Directors of the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for dredging and other related activities to remove sediments and debris from the bottom of the Ross Barnett Reservoir.

(2) During fiscal year 2022 and each fiscal year thereafter, the Board of Directors of the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District may deposit not more than Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00) of the lease payments, fees and other funds received by the district during the fiscal year into the Ross Barnett Dredging Fund.

(3) Unexpended amounts remaining in the Ross Barnett Dredging Fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-39 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 25 / Section 29-39
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-39
Status: in_force

In lieu of the method provided in Sections 51-29-29 through 51-29-35 for acquiring land and making compensation for damages, the drainage commissioners may adopt the following method for acquiring lands and making compensation for damages, to wit:

The commissioners may, at any time after the organization of the district, appraise the value of any land taken or to be taken for the purposes of the proposed improvement, according to the plans of the district on file, and the damages resulting to the owners from such taking. The board may specify, in case of any property, the particular purpose for which and the extent to which easement is desired, and the assessment of property in such case shall represent only the damages resulting from the use so specified. They may make a complete appraisement of all such lands, taken or to be taken, at one time, or at any time make appraisements as it becomes necessary or desirable. When the commissioners have made their appraisement of lands taken, they shall certify to the same and file it with the clerk of the chancery court of the county in which the land lies. The court, or chancellor in vacation, shall enter an order designating the date, time, and place for the hearing of objections to such appraisement, either at a regular term of the court or in vacation. The clerk shall issue a summons directed to the sheriff of the county or counties of the state in which any landowner or other person interested may reside, commanding him to summon such owner or owners or interested persons to appear at the time and place named. If the owner of any land sought to be taken is an infant or person of unsound mind, the summons may be served on his guardian; and the guardian in such cases is authorized, subject to the approval of the chancellor in termtime or vacation, to sell and convey such property and dedicate it thus to the public use, or he may agree upon the damages and thereby bind the ward. If there is no guardian in such case, the chancellor in vacation may, on application of anyone in interest, appoint a guardian ad litem to represent such infant or person of unsound mind, whose acts and doings in the premises shall be valid and binding on the ward. The chancellor may require a bond of such guardian ad litem. The clerk of the court shall notify the guardian ad litem of his appointment and the amount of bond required, if any, by certified mail sent to the post office address of the guardian. If the owner of such land is a nonresident of the state or cannot be found, or if the owner is unknown, and this shall apply to any person interested, upon affidavit to that fact being made by the commissioners or by their agent or attorney, service of the summons may be delivered to any of his agents in charge of the land; or publication shall be made in the manner provided by law for publication for nonresident and unknown parties in chancery suits. If the land belongs to a deceased person whose estate is being administered, the summons may be served upon the executor or administrator, who shall, for all purposes of this chapter, be authorized to act for the owner, and shall be responsible on his bond accordingly. Such notice, when published, need only state that the hearing will be for the purpose of confirming the report of the commissioners as to the appraisement of land taken for the use of the district. The notice shall contain the names of the owners or persons interested in such land and their post office address, if known, and if unknown, that fact shall be so stated, and shall contain a list of the land, described by section numbers, belonging to such nonresident owners through which the ditches of the district are to run, or which such lands are to be taken for the uses of the district.

If any owner is not satisfied with the amount allowed by the commissioners for lands taken by reason of the construction of such proposed system according to the plans of the district, he shall file with the clerk of the court written objections, in specific terms, prior to the time designated for the hearing.

If no written objections are filed, a decree confirming the appraisement shall be rendered, and upon payment of the amount to the chancery clerk, the commissioners of the district may enter upon and take possession of the property and appropriate it to the public use of the district and the title of the property shall thereupon vest in the district. The clerk shall receipt upon the decree for the money paid, and the decree with the receipt thereon shall be recorded.

If written objections are filed prior to the time set for the hearing, the court or chancellor in vacation shall proceed to hear the objections filed, trying the cause or causes without the intervention of a jury.

No judgment by default shall be entered against an owner or person interested residing in this state unless it appears that he has been duly served with summons at least thirty (30) days before the return day, and no judgment by default shall be rendered against any nonresident or unknown person or persons interested unless proper publication has been made.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-39-25 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 33 / Section 39-25
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-39-25
Status: in_force

The district shall have all the rights and powers necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes of this chapter, including, but not limited to, the following:

(a) To sue and be sued in its own name;

(b) To adopt an official seal and alter the seal at its pleasure;

(c) To maintain an office or offices at any place or places within the geographic boundaries of its members as it may determine;

(d) To acquire, construct, improve, or modify, to operate or cause to be operated and maintained, either as owner of all or of any part in common with others, a storm water management system within the counties or municipalities in the district. The district may pay all or part of the cost of any storm water management system from any contribution by persons, firms, public agencies or corporations. The district may receive, accept, and use all funds, public or private and pay all cost of development, implementation and maintenance as may be determined as necessary for any project;

(e) To acquire, in its own name, by purchase on any terms and conditions and in any manner as it may deem proper, except by eminent domain, property for public use, or by gift, grant, lease, or otherwise, real property or easements therein, franchises and personal property necessary or convenient for its corporate purposes. These purposes shall include, but are not limited to, the constructing or acquiring of a storm water management system; the improving, extending, reconstructing, renovating, or remodeling of any existing storm water management system or part thereof; or the demolition to make room for any project or any part thereof. The district may insure the storm water management system against all risks as any insurance may, from time to time, be available. The district may also use any property and rent or lease any property to or from others, including public agencies, or make contracts for the use of the property. The district may sell, lease, exchange, transfer, assign, pledge, mortgage or grant a security interest for any property. The powers to acquire, use, and dispose of property as set forth in this paragraph shall include the power to acquire, use, and dispose of any interest in that property, whether divided or undivided. Title to any property of the district shall be held by the district exclusively for the benefit of the public;

(f) To adopt, modify, repeal and promulgate rules and regulations implementing or effectuating the powers and duties of the district under any statute within the district's jurisdiction, and where otherwise not prohibited by federal or state law, to make exceptions to and grant variances and exemptions from, and to enforce those rules and regulations. Those rules and regulations may include, but shall not be limited to, rules and regulations for (i) the management of the district's business and affairs; (ii) the use, operation, maintenance or implementation of the district's storm water management system or any portion of that system, facility or any other property owned or operated by the district; and (iii) specifications and standards relating to the planning, design or construction of the storm water management system or any facility owned or operated by the district;

(g) To enter into contracts or leases with any person or public agency and to execute all instruments necessary or convenient for construction, operation, and maintenance of the storm water management system and leases of projects. Without limiting the generality of the above, authority is specifically granted to units of local government and to the district to enter into contracts, lease agreements, or other undertaking relative to the furnishing of storm water management system services or facilities or both by the district to a unit of local government and by a unit of local government to the district;

(h) To exercise any powers, rights, or privileges conferred by this chapter either alone or jointly or in common with any other public or private parties. In any exercise of any powers, rights, and privileges jointly or in common with others for the construction, operation, and maintenance of facilities, the district may own an undivided interest in any facilities with any other party with which it may jointly or in common exercise the rights and privileges conferred by this chapter and may enter into any agreement with respect to any facility with any other party participating in those facilities. An agreement may contain any terms, conditions, and provisions, consistent with this section, as the parties to the agreement shall deem to be in their best interest, including, but not limited to, provisions for the planning, design, construction, operation, implementation and maintenance of any facility by any party to an agreement. Any party or parties shall be designated in or under any agreement as agent or agents on behalf of itself and one or more of the other parties to the agreement, or by any other means as may be determined by the parties. The agreement shall include a method or methods of determining and allocating, among the parties, costs of planning, design, construction, operation, maintenance, renewals, replacements, improvements, and disposal related to any facility. In carrying out its functions and activities as an agent with respect to planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of any facility, the agent shall be governed by the laws and regulations applicable to that agent as a separate legal entity and not by any laws or regulations which may be applicable to any of the other participating parties. The agent shall act for the benefit of the public. In any agreement, the district may delegate its powers and duties related to the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of any facility to the party acting as agent and all actions taken by that agent in accordance with the agreement may be binding upon the district without further action or approval of the district;

(i) To apply, contract for, accept, receive and administer gifts, grants, appropriations, and donations of money, materials, and property of any kind, including loans and grants from the United States, the state, a unit of local government, or any agency, department, authority, or instrumentality of any of the foregoing, upon any terms and conditions as the United States, the state, a unit of local government, or any agency, department, authority, or instrumentality shall impose. The district may administer trusts. The district may sell, lease, transfer, convey, appropriate and pledge any and all of its property and assets;

(j) To employ professional and administrative staff and personnel and to retain legal, engineering, fiscal, accounting and other professional services;

(k) To assume or continue any contractual or other business relationships entered into by the municipalities or counties who are members of the district, including the rights to receive and acquire transferred rights under option to purchase agreements;

(l) To enter on public or private lands, waters, or premises for the purpose of making surveys, borings or soundings, or conducting tests, examinations or inspections for the purposes of the district, subject to responsibility for any damage done to property entered;

(m) To do and perform any acts and things authorized by this chapter under, through or by means of its officers, agents and employees, or by contracts with any person; and

(n) To do and perform any and all acts or things necessary, convenient or desirable for the purposes of the district, or to carry out any power expressly granted in this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-177 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 1 / Section 9-177
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-177
Status: in_force

A person arrested by a reservoir police officer shall be handled or processed in the jurisdiction in which the offense was committed, in the same manner as if the arrest had been made by a sheriff or constable. If the reservoir police officer detains any person arrested by him, he shall forthwith deliver the arrested person to the sheriff of the county in which the offense was committed, and the reservoir police officer shall have no further authority as to the custody of such arrested person.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-35-340 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 35 / Section 35-340
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-35-340
Status: in_force

The board of directors of the district is hereby authorized and empowered, in its discretion, to borrow money from time to time, in an amount not to exceed Nine Hundred Thousand Dollars ($900,000.00) in the aggregate outstanding at any one (1) time, in order to defray expenses of the district for the purpose of acquiring, repairing, maintaining, strengthening and rebuilding dams, reservoirs, channels, levees, pumps and other flood control works and improvements for the district.

Before any money is borrowed under the provisions of this section, the board of directors shall adopt a resolution declaring the necessity for such borrowing and specifying the purpose for which the money borrowed is to be expended, the amount to be borrowed, the date or dates of the maturity thereof, and how such indebtedness is to be evidenced. The resolution shall be certified over the signature of the president of the board of directors.

The borrowing shall be evidenced by negotiable notes or certificates of indebtedness of the district which shall be signed by the president and secretary of the district. All such notes or certificates of indebtedness shall be offered at public sale by the district after not less than ten (10) days' advertising in a newspaper having general circulation within the district. Each sale shall be made to the bidder offering the lowest rate of interest or whose bid represents the lowest net cost to the district; however, the rate of interest shall not exceed ten percent (10%). No such notes or certificates of indebtedness shall be issued and sold for less than par and accrued interest. All notes or certificates of indebtedness shall mature in approximately equal installments of principal and interest over a period not to exceed fifteen (15) years from the dates of the issuance thereof. Principal shall be payable annually, and interest shall be payable annually or semiannually; provided, however, that the first payment of principal or interest may be for any period not exceeding one (1) year. Provided, however, if negotiable notes are outstanding from not more than one (1) previous issue authorized under the provisions of this section, then the schedule of payments for a new or supplementary issue may be so adjusted that the schedule of maturities of all notes or series of notes hereunder shall, when combined, mature in approximately equal installments of principal and interest over a period of fifteen (15) years from the date of the new or supplementary issue; or, if a lower interest rate will thereby be secured on notes previously issued and outstanding, a portion of the proceeds of any issue authorized hereunder may be used to refund the balance of the indebtedness previously issued under the authority of this section. Such notes or certificates of indebtedness shall be issued in such form and in such denominations as may be determined by the board of directors and may be made payable at the office of any bank or trust company selected by the board of directors. In such case, funds for the payment of principal and interest due thereon shall be provided in the same manner provided by law for the payment of the principal and interest due on bonds issued by the board of directors.

For the prompt payment of notes or certificates of indebtedness at maturity, both principal and interest, there is hereby pledged the avails of the ad valorem tax authorized in Section 51-35-333, Mississippi Code of 1972 , and any other available funds of the district designated by the board of directors. Pledged funds shall be paid into a sinking fund and used exclusively for the payment of principal of and interest on the notes or certificates of indebtedness. Until needed for expenditure, monies in the sinking fund may be invested in the same manner as municipalities are authorized by law to invest surplus funds.

The proceeds of any notes or certificates of indebtedness issued under the provisions of this section shall be placed in a special fund and shall be expended only for the purpose or purposes for which they were issued as shown by the resolution authorizing the issuance thereof. If a balance shall remain of the proceeds of such notes or certificates of indebtedness after the purpose or purposes for which they were issued shall have been accomplished, such balance shall be used to pay such obligations at or before maturity and may be transferred to any sinking fund previously established for the payment thereof.

Proceeds from the sale of notes or certificates of indebtedness not immediately necessary for expenditure shall be invested in the same manner as surplus funds of municipalities may be invested.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-163 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 25 / Section 29-163
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-163
Status: in_force

At said hearing, if said owner or owners shall have then paid over to the chancery clerk the amount set out in said petition and if all of the holders of not less than 95% in amount of the outstanding original indebtedness of the district and all of the holders of outstanding refunding bonds of said district shall have signified in writing, filed with the clerk of said court, their consent to receive the sum so paid as a credit on the said outstanding indebtedness held by them, the chancellor shall determine whether said amount is the true amount of the assessment of benefits of said district against said tract or tracts then remaining unpaid, whether or not the release of said tract or tracts as prayed for will interfere with the continued functioning of the improvements of said district, and whether or not the proposal of sale as set out in said petition is submitted in good faith and accepted as aforesaid. In event it is found that the sum tendered was the true amount of the assessments of benefits of said district against said tract or tracts remaining unpaid, that a release of said tract or tracts will not interfere with the continued functioning of the improvements made by said district, and that the proposal of sale as set out in said petition was submitted in good faith and accepted as aforesaid, the chancellor shall order an acquittance of said tract or tracts from liability for all the outstanding indebtedness of said district and release said tract or tracts from the boundaries of said district, on condition that the sale so proposed and accepted be consummated and a deed to said tract or tracts be delivered to the United States government, to any agency or instrumentality thereof, or to any corporation organized under an Act of the Congress of the United States for the purpose of engaging in reforestation activities. The effect of such order shall be to render said tract or tracts of land, on delivery of said deed, as fully free of any obligation, lien, or incumbrance arising from its inclusion in said district as if said tract or tracts had never been within said district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-15-107 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 4 / Section 15-107
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-15-107
Status: in_force

The Pat Harrison Waterway Commission, acting through its members who favor bringing the counties they represent into the Pat Harrison Waterway District, or other counties having Pascagoula River, Leaf River, Chickasawhay River, or Tallahala Creek tributaries, shall petition the Chancery Court of Forrest County, Mississippi, to organize and establish the Pat Harrison Waterway District and shall set forth in the petition:

(a) The counties to be included in the Pat Harrison Waterway District. Each member of the Pat Harrison Waterway Commission, as created by virtue of Sections 51-15-1 through 51-15-9 , and any county through which the Pascagoula, Leaf, and Chickasawhay Rivers and Tallahala Creek run, or other counties having tributaries to such streams or which border on said streams, may be included in the district.

(b) The necessity and desirability for the developments and construction of suitable facilities.

(c) A general description of the purposes of the contemplated works, and a general description of the plan.

The petition shall be filed with as many copies as there are parties defendant.

The Board of Water Commissioners of the State of Mississippi shall be made a party defendant, and the chancery clerk shall furnish the Board of Water Commissioners with a copy of the petition with attached exhibits. Each county named in the petition shall be joined as a party defendant by service of process on the president of the board of supervisors thereof, and the chancery clerk shall furnish a copy of the petition to each such president. Whenever any municipality having a population according to the most recent federal decennial census of ten thousand (10,000) or more is included in such proposed district, such municipality shall be made a party defendant.

From and after July 1, 2023, any municipality located in a county that is not a member of the district may, by resolution spread on its minutes, request that the Pat Harrison Waterway Commission petition the Chancery Court of Forrest County, Mississippi, to modify its decree organizing the district to include the municipality as a member of the district. The Board of Water Commissioners of the State of Mississippi shall be made a party defendant, and the chancery clerk shall furnish the Board of Water Commissioners with a copy of the petition with attached exhibits. The municipality applying for membership shall not be made a party defendant.

It shall not be necessary that any landowners in the counties or municipalities to be included in said proposed district be named in the petition, or be made parties defendant. The chancellor of the Chancery Court of Forrest County, Mississippi, shall have jurisdiction of the entire waterway district for the purposes of this article. Such jurisdiction may be exercised by the chancellor in term time or in vacation, as provided in this article.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-1 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 2 / Section 9-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-1
Status: in_force

There is created the Pearl River Industrial Commission, composed of Hinds, Leake, Madison, Neshoba, Rankin and such other counties in the state through which or bordering which the Pearl River runs. The Governor shall appoint one (1) member to the commission from each county from a list of three (3) names to be submitted by the board of supervisors in each participating county. The three (3) names submitted by the board of supervisors of Madison County and the board of supervisors of Rankin County shall be the names of persons who reside on and are holders of residential leases from the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District that are located in Madison County and Rankin County, respectively, or who reside in established subdivisions in Madison County and Rankin County, respectively, in which some of the residential property of the subdivision is leased from the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District. In his appointment the Governor shall designate the chairman and vice chairman of the commission. Each member of the commission shall serve for a term concurrent with that of the Governor. The board of supervisors in any county through which or by which the Pearl River runs, other than those counties named above, may bring that county in as a member of the commission by resolution presented to the Governor; and the board of supervisors in such county may, in its discretion, call an election before taking such action, the election to be held as nearly as possible in the same manner other elections are held in the county.

The member appointed from Madison County who is serving on July 1, 2012, shall continue to serve until January 1, 2013, after which date the Governor shall appoint a member from Madison County who meets the residency requirements of this section. The person appointed under the provisions of this paragraph shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-41-29 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 33 / Section 41-29
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-41-29
Status: in_force

(1) The proceeds derived from all of the bonds, other than refunding bonds, may be used only to pay the costs of acquiring, constructing, improving, enlarging and equipping the project with respect to which they were issued, as may be specified in the proceedings in which the bonds are authorized to be issued and all costs incidental thereto, including without limitation:

(a) The costs of any land forming a part of the project and all easements that may pertain to or be associated with any project;

(b) The costs of the labor, materials and supplies used in any construction, improvement and enlargement, including architect's and engineer's fees and the cost of preparing contract documents and advertising for bids along with all other reasonable and necessary project cost;

(c) The purchase price of and the cost of installing equipment for the project;

(d) Legal, fiscal, accounting and recording fees and expenses incurred in connection with the authorization, sale and issuance of the bonds issued in connection with the project;

(e) Interest, if any, on bonds for a reasonable period before, during and after the time required for completion of the project;

(f) The amount necessary to fund a debt service reserve in an amount deemed appropriate by the water authority;

(g) Cost associated with the obtaining of default insurance ratings and other credit enhancements of every nature; and

(h) Other operational expenses, reserves and other accounts of every nature.

(2) If any of the proceeds derived from the issuance of bonds remains undisbursed after completion of the project and the making of all such expenditures, the balance shall be used for the redemption of bonds of the same issue.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-111 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 7 / Section 13-111
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-111
Status: in_force

The Tombigbee River Valley Water Management District through its board of directors is hereby empowered:

(a) To develop, in conjunction with the United States Army Corps of Engineers, United States Secretary of Agriculture, or with the head of any other federal or state agency as may be involved, plans for public works of improvement for the prevention of floodwater damage, or the conservation, development, navigation, utilization and disposal of water, including the impoundment, diversion, flowage and distribution of waters for beneficial use as defined in Chapter 3 of this title.

To enter into agreements with the United States of America, as represented by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, to meet the requirements of local cooperation for flood control and navigation projects as set out in House Document No. 167, 84th Congress, First Session, as authorized by Public Law 85-500 , 85th Congress, dated July 3, 1958, as amended, and House Document No. 486, 79th Congress, Second Session, as approved by Public Law 525, 79th Congress, as amended.

(b) To impound overflow water and the surface water of the Tombigbee River or its tributaries within the project area, within or without the district, at the place or places and in the amount as may be approved by the Office of Land and Water Resources of the State of Mississippi, by the construction of a dam or dams, reservoir or reservoirs, work or works, plants and any other necessary or useful related facilities contemplated and described as a part of the project, within or without the district, to control, store and preserve these waters, and to use, distribute, and sell them, to construct or otherwise acquire within the project area all works, plants, or other facilities necessary or useful to the project for processing the water and transporting it to cities and other facilities for domestic, municipal, commercial, industrial, agricultural and manufacturing purposes, and is hereby given the power to control open channels for water delivery purposes and water transportation.

(c) To acquire and develop any other available water necessary or useful to the project and to construct, acquire and develop all facilities within the project area deemed necessary or useful with respect thereto, including terminals.

(d) To forest and reforest, and to aid in the foresting and reforesting of the project area, and to prevent and to aid in the prevention of soil erosion and flood within the area; to control, store, and preserve within the boundaries of the project area the waters of the Tombigbee River or any of its tributaries for irrigation of lands and for prevention of water pollution.

(e) To acquire by condemnation all property of any kind, real, personal, or mixed, or any interest therein, within or without the boundaries of the district, necessary for the projects and the exercise of the powers, rights, privileges and functions conferred upon the district by this article, according to the procedure provided by law for the condemnation of lands or other property taken for rights-of-way or other purposes by railroads, telephone, or telegraph companies, and according to the provisions of Section 29-1-1 . For the purposes of this article the right of eminent domain of the district shall be superior and dominant to the right of eminent domain of railroad, telegraph, telephone, gas, power and other companies or corporations and shall be sufficient to enable the acquisition of county roads, state highways, or other public property in the project area, and the acquisition or relocation of this property in the project area. The cost of right-of-way purchases, rerouting and elevating all other county-maintained roads affected by construction shall be borne by the water management district, and new construction shall be of equal quality as in roads existing as of May 1, 1962. The county in which the work is done may assist in these costs if the board of supervisors desires.

The amount and character of interest in land, other property, and easements to be acquired shall be determined by the board of directors, and their determination shall be conclusive and shall not be subject to attack in the absence of manifold abuse of discretion or fraud on the part of such board in making such determination. However,

(i) In acquiring lands, either by negotiation or condemnation, the district shall not acquire minerals or royalties within the project area; sand and gravel shall not be considered as minerals within the meaning of this section; and

(ii) No person or persons owning the drilling rights or the right to share in production shall be prevented from exploring, developing, or producing oil or gas with necessary rights-of-way for ingress and egress, pipelines, and other means of transporting these products by reason of the inclusion of the lands or mineral interests within the project area, whether below or above the waterline, but any activities shall be under reasonable regulations by the board of directors that will adequately protect the project; and

(iii) In drilling and developing, these persons are hereby vested with a special right to have mineral interests integrated and their lands developed in the drilling unit or units that the State Oil and Gas Board shall establish after due consideration of the rights of all owners to be included in the drilling unit.

Moreover, when any site or plot of land is to be sold to any person, firm, or corporation for the purpose of operating recreational facilities thereon for profit, the board shall, by resolution, specify the terms and conditions of the sale and shall advertise for public bids thereon. When these bids are received, they shall be publicly opened by the board, and the board shall thereupon determine the highest and best bid submitted and shall immediately notify the former owner of the site or plot of the amount, terms, and conditions of the highest and best bid. The former owner of the site or plot shall have the exclusive right at his option, for a period of thirty (30) days after written notice is received by the landowner of the determination of the highest and best bid by the board, to purchase the site or plot of land by meeting the highest and best bid and by complying with all terms and conditions of the sale as specified by the board. However, the board shall not sell to any former owner more land than was taken from the former owner for the construction of the project, or one-quarter ( 1 / 4 ) mile of shoreline, whichever shall be the lesser. If this option is not exercised by the former owner within a period of thirty (30) days, the board shall accept the highest and best bid submitted.

Any bona fide resident householder actually living or maintaining a residence on land taken by the district by condemnation shall have the right to repurchase his former land from the board of directors for a price not exceeding the price paid for condemning his land, plus any permanent improvements.

In addition and notwithstanding any other provision in this section to the contrary, the board may lease or rent all or any portion of any property that it owns to any person, firm, or corporation for the purpose of operating recreational facilities for profit or not for profit or for any other public purpose provided the land is open for the use of the general public or is otherwise used for the public benefit and upon any other terms and conditions as the board may determine. The leasing or renting of all or any portion of any such land upon said conditions shall require a resolution duly adopted by the board and shall be exempt from any bid requirements in this section.

(f) To require the necessary relocation of roads and highways, railroad, telephone, and telegraph lines and properties, electric power lines, gas pipelines and mains and facilities in the project area, or to require the anchoring or other protection of any of these, provided due compensation is first paid the owners thereof or agreement is had with the owners regarding the payment of the cost of relocation. Further, the district is hereby authorized to acquire easements or rights-of-way in or outside of the project area for the relocation of roads, highways, railroad, telephone, and telegraph lines and properties, electric power lines, gas pipelines and mains and facilities, and to convey them to the owners thereof in connection with the relocation as a part of the construction of the project. However, the directors of the district shall not close any public access road to the project existing prior to the construction of the reservoir unless the board of supervisors of the county in which the road is located agrees thereto.

(g) To overflow and inundate any public lands and public property, including sixteenth section lands and in lieu lands, within the project area.

(h) To construct, extend, improve, maintain and reconstruct, to cause to be constructed, extended, improved, maintained and reconstructed, and to use and operate all facilities of any kind within the project area necessary or convenient to the project and to the exercise of powers, rights, privileges and functions.

(i) To sue and be sued in its corporate name.

(j) To adopt, use, and alter a corporate seal.

(k) To make bylaws for the management and regulation of its affairs.

( l ) To employ engineers, attorneys, and all necessary agents and employees to properly finance, construct, operate, and maintain the project and the plants and to pay reasonable compensation for these services; for all services in connection with the issuance of bonds as provided in this article, the attorney's fee shall not exceed one-quarter of one percent ( 1 / 4 of 1%) of the principal amount of these bonds. For any other services, only reasonable compensation shall be paid for these services. The board shall have the right to employ a general manager, who shall, at the discretion of the board, have the power to employ and discharge employees. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it may employ fiscal agents or advisors in connection with its financing program and in connection with the issuance of its bonds.

(m) To make contracts and to execute instruments necessary or convenient to the exercise of the powers, rights, privileges, and functions conferred upon it by this article.

(n) To make or cause to be made surveys and engineering investigations relating to the project, or related projects, for the information of the district to facilitate the accomplishment of the purposes for which it is created.

(o) To apply for and accept grants from the United States of America, or from any corporation or agency created or designated by the United States of America, and to ratify and accept applications heretofore or hereafter made by voluntary associations to these agencies for grants to construct, maintain or operate any project or projects which hereafter may be undertaken or contemplated by the district.

(p) To do any other acts or things necessary, requisite, or convenient to the exercising of the powers, rights, privileges or functions conferred upon it by this article or any other law.

(q) To make contracts in the issuance of bonds that may be necessary to insure the marketability thereof.

(r) To enter into contracts with municipalities, corporations, districts, public agencies, political subdivisions of any kind, and others for any services, facilities or commodities that the project may provide. The district is also authorized to contract with any municipality, corporation, or public agency for the rental, leasing, purchase, or operation of the water production, water filtration or purification, water supply and distributing facilities of the municipality, corporation, or public agency upon consideration as the district and entity may agree. Any contract may be upon any terms and for any time as the parties may agree, and it may provide that it shall continue in effect until bonds specified therein, refunding bonds issued in lieu of these bonds, and all obligations are paid. Any contract with any political subdivision shall be binding upon these political subdivisions according to its terms, and the municipalities or other political subdivisions shall have the power to enter into these contracts as in the discretion of the governing authorities thereof would be to the best interest of the people of the municipality or other political subdivision. These contracts may include, within the discretion of the governing authorities, a pledge of the full faith and credit of the political subdivisions for the performance thereof.

(s) To fix and collect charges and rates for any services, facilities or commodities furnished by it in connection with the project, and to impose penalties for failure to pay these charges and rates when due.

(t) To operate and maintain within the project area, with the consent of the governing body of any city or town located within the district, any works, plants or facilities of any city deemed necessary or convenient to the accomplishment of the purposes for which the district is created.

(u) Subject to the provisions of this article, from time to time to lease, sell, or otherwise lawfully dispose of any property of any kind, real, personal, or mixed, or any interest therein within the project area or acquired outside the project area as authorized in this article, for the purpose of furthering the business of the district.

(v) When, in the opinion of the board of directors as shown by resolution duly passed, it shall not be necessary to the carrying on of the business of the district that the district own any lands acquired, the board shall advertise these lands for sale to the highest and best bidder for cash and shall receive and publicly open the bids thereon. The board shall, by resolution, determine the highest and best bid submitted for the land and shall thereupon notify the former owner, his/her heirs or devisees, by registered mail of the land to be sold and the highest and best bid received therefor, and the former owner, or his/her heirs or devisees, shall have the exclusive right at his/her or their option for a period of thirty (30) days in which to meet such highest and best bid and to purchase the property.

(i) The board may transfer title to that certain property known as the Trace State Park in Pontotoc County to the Department of Environmental Quality; provided, however, that any of the property that is under current lease shall not be included in the transfer. Such transfer of title shall require a resolution duly adopted by the board and by the Commission on Environmental Quality and shall be exempt from any bid requirements herein. In addition, the board may transfer title to that certain property known as the Elvis Presley Park in Lee County to Lee County, Mississippi, upon the terms and conditions as it may determine. The transfer of title shall require a resolution duly adopted by the board and shall be exempt from any bid requirement in this section. In addition, the board may transfer title to all or any portion of that certain property known as the Elvis Presley Park in Lee County to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks upon the terms and conditions as it may determine, including, but not limited to, authorizing the board to pay the sum of Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00) to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks at the time of the transfer with such funds to be used by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks for the construction of an office building on the Elvis Presley Park for use by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. Such transfer of title and the payment of such sum of money shall require a resolution duly adopted by the board and by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks and shall be exempt from any bid requirement in this section.

(ii) The board may transfer title to the property known as Kemper Lake in Kemper County, Mississippi, to the Kemper County Board of Supervisors, upon the terms and conditions as it may determine, including, but not limited to, authorizing the board to pay the sum of Forty Thousand Dollars ($40,000.00) for costs associated with pavilion repairs and improvements, to the Kemper County Board of Supervisors at the time of the transfer. Such transfer of title and the payment of such sum of money shall require a resolution duly adopted by the board and shall be exempt from any bid requirement in this section.

In addition, upon the transfer of title of the property known as Kemper Lake from the board to the Kemper County Board of Supervisors, the Kemper County Board of Supervisors may transfer title to all or any portion of the property known as Kemper Lake in Kemper County, Mississippi, to any water management district that meets certain criteria as prescribed by the Kemper County Board of Supervisors, upon the terms and conditions as it may determine. Such transfer of title shall require a resolution duly adopted by the Kemper County Board of Supervisors and by such water management district, and shall be exempt from any bid requirement in this section.

(w) To prevent or aid in the prevention of damages to persons or property from the waters of the Tombigbee River or any of its tributaries.

(x) To acquire by purchase, lease, gift or in any other manner (otherwise than by condemnation) and to maintain, use, and operate all property of any kind, real, personal, or mixed, or any interest therein within the project area, within or without the boundaries of the district, necessary for the project and convenient to the exercise of the powers, rights, privileges and functions conferred upon the district by this article.

(y) In the purchase of or in the entering into of all lease-purchase agreements for supplies, equipment, heavy equipment, and the like, the directors shall in all instances comply with the provisions of law pertaining to public purchases by public bids on these supplies and equipment.

(z) In addition to, or in conjunction with, any other powers and duties of the district arising under this chapter, to exercise those powers, duties and functions of a joint water management district set forth in Sections 51-8-27 through 51-8-55 , except the power of eminent domain under Section 51-8-33 . Before exercising those powers and duties, the district must comply with the provisions of Sections 51-8-63 and 51-8-65 . In exercising the functions of a joint water management district, the district may apply to the Environmental Quality Permit Board for delegation of those powers and duties as provided by Section 51-3-15 , and to apply to the Mississippi Commission on Environmental Quality for delegation of those powers and duties provided by Section 51-3-21 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-1 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 27 / Section 29-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-1
Status: in_force

This chapter shall govern the future operation of all drainage districts heretofore organized or now in process of organization under the provisions of Chapter 195 of the Laws of 1912 and amendments thereto, and such other districts as may hereafter be organized under the provisions of this chapter, or which may elect to come within its provisions in the manner herein provided.

All of the provisions of Chapters 31 and 33 of this title which are not contained in this chapter, and which do not conflict with any of the provisions of this chapter, shall apply to any districts organized or operating hereunder.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-8-39 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 5 / Section 8-39
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-8-39
Status: in_force

The bonds issued under this chapter shall be sold for not less than par value plus accrued interest at public sale in the manner provided for in Section 31-19-25, Mississippi Code of 1972; however, bonds may be sold to the United States of America or an agency or instrumentality thereof at private sale.

Each interest rate specified in any bid must be in multiples of either one-tenth of one percent ( 1 / 10 of 1%) or one-eighth of one percent ( 1 / 8 of 1%), and a zero rate of interest cannot be named.

Any revenue bonds issued under the provisions of this chapter may be refunded in like manner as revenue bonds of municipalities shall be refunded.

Any bonds issued under the provisions of this chapter shall be submitted to validation under the provisions of Sections 31-13-1 through 31-13-11 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-151 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 3 / Section 9-151
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-151
Status: in_force

The board of directors of the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District is hereby authorized and empowered to negotiate and contract with the United States of America, or any agency thereof, concerning all lands, easements, and rights of way necessary for the relocation of any federal road, highway, parkway, or for the facilities appurtenant thereto.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-109 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 8 / Section 9-109
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-109
Status: in_force

The Pearl River Industrial Commission, acting through it members who favor bringing the counties they represent into the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District, shall petition the chancery court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County to organize and establish the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District and shall set forth in the petition:

(a) The counties to be included in the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District. Any county through which the Pearl River runs or which borders on the Pearl River may be included in the district.

(b) The fact that a preliminary report or study to determine the engineering feasibility of constructing a dam and reservoir in the basin of Pearl River has been made by a competent engineer or engineering firm and that such study or report shows that the construction of such facilities is feasible for water conservation or supply or for any of the other purposes or services contemplated by the legislative declaration of public policy in this article.

(c) The necessity and desirability for the construction of such facilities.

(d) A general description of the purposes of the contemplated works, and a general description of the plan including the lands to be overflowed or otherwise affected thereby, and maps or plats showing the general location of the reservoir and dam and related facilities. The word “project” when used herein shall mean the general plan and purposes of the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District, including its physical properties, as set out in this petition to the chancery court; and the words “project area” shall mean the physical location of the reservoir, dam, and related facilities as shown on the plats filed with the chancery court and shall include and be limited to an area of one mile from the shore line of the reservoir at high water. The words “related facilities” as used in this article shall mean the facilities indicated on said maps or plats filed with the chancery court or otherwise explained in the pleadings filed with the chancery court and shall include property, land, or areas of land adjacent to, or in the vicinity of, said reservoir or dam and within a distance of one mile from the high water mark of the proposed shore line of said reservoir as shown on said map, which may be acquired, owned, rented, leased, or sold by the district in connection with the recreational or industrial development and use of the project.

The petition shall be filed with as many copies as there are parties defendant. A copy of the preliminary report or study shall be attached to the original and each copy of the petition as an exhibit.

The board of water commissioners shall be made a party defendant, and the chancery clerk shall furnish the board of water commissioners with a copy of the petition with attached exhibits. Each county named in the petition shall be joined as a party defendant by service of process on the president of the board of supervisors thereof, and the chancery clerk shall furnish a copy of the petition to each such president. Whenever any municipality having a population according to the most recent federal census of ten thousand (10,000) or more is included in such proposed district, such municipality shall be made a party defendant.

It shall not be necessary that any land owners in the counties to be included in said proposed district be named in the petition, or made parties defendant. The chancellor of the chancery court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi, shall have jurisdiction of the entire water supply district and project area for the purposes of this article. Such jurisdiction may be exercised by the chancellor in term time or in vacation, as provided in this article.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-8-27 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 8 / Section 8-27
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-8-27
Status: in_force

The board of commissioners shall have the power to adopt, promulgate, modify and repeal, and to make exceptions to and grant exemptions and variances from, and to enforce, rules and regulations to effectuate the purposes of the creation of the district, provided that such regulations shall conform to and not conflict with regulations promulgated by state regulatory agencies responsible for regulating the activities which the district was created to perform.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-171 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 4 / Section 9-171
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-171
Status: in_force

This article shall be cited as “The Pearl River Valley Water Supply District Reservoir Police Officer Law of 1978.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-41-5 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 33 / Section 41-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-41-5
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be liberally construed in conformity with its intent. All acts and activities of the water authority performed under the authority of this chapter are legislatively determined and declared to be essential governmental functions.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-129 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 13 / Section 13-129
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-129
Status: in_force

The board of supervisors of each county becoming a member of the Tombigbee River Valley Water Management District shall pay or cause to be paid to the depository of said district a sum equal to one-half ( 1 / 2 ) mill on all of the taxable property within the Tombigbee Watershed area of the said county, beginning with the tax assessment for the calendar year 1964; and such payments shall be made and continued as long as there remains unpaid and outstanding any bonded indebtedness or obligations created by the district so created under this article. Any such board of supervisors shall provide the district the sum equal to the one-half ( 1 / 2 ) mill levy by appropriation of an equivalent sum from the general fund of the county.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-4-3 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 3 / Section 4-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-4-3
Status: in_force

Except as otherwise required by the context:

(a) “ Department ” means the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.

(b) “ Stream ” means any free-flowing stream or segment of stream that is a public waterway under Section 51-1-4, Mississippi Code of 1972 , and has not been channelized within the last five (5) years.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-31-7 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 31 / Section 31-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-31-7
Status: in_force

All drainage districts of the state heretofore organized or that may be hereafter organized, except as otherwise provided in Chapters 29 and 33 of this title, shall severally exercise their respective powers and be managed by three county drainage commissioners of the county in which the organization of the district was had and by the chancery court or chancellor in vacation of such county, as hereinafter provided in this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-15-107 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 15 / Section 15-107
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-15-107
Status: in_force

The Pat Harrison Waterway Commission, acting through its members who favor bringing the counties they represent into the Pat Harrison Waterway District, or other counties having Pascagoula River, Leaf River, Chickasawhay River, or Tallahala Creek tributaries, shall petition the Chancery Court of Forrest County, Mississippi, to organize and establish the Pat Harrison Waterway District and shall set forth in the petition:

(a) The counties to be included in the Pat Harrison Waterway District. Each member of the Pat Harrison Waterway Commission, as created by virtue of Sections 51-15-1 through 51-15-9 , and any county through which the Pascagoula, Leaf, and Chickasawhay Rivers and Tallahala Creek run, or other counties having tributaries to such streams or which border on said streams, may be included in the district.

(b) The necessity and desirability for the developments and construction of suitable facilities.

(c) A general description of the purposes of the contemplated works, and a general description of the plan.

The petition shall be filed with as many copies as there are parties defendant.

The Board of Water Commissioners of the State of Mississippi shall be made a party defendant, and the chancery clerk shall furnish the Board of Water Commissioners with a copy of the petition with attached exhibits. Each county named in the petition shall be joined as a party defendant by service of process on the president of the board of supervisors thereof, and the chancery clerk shall furnish a copy of the petition to each such president. Whenever any municipality having a population according to the most recent federal decennial census of ten thousand (10,000) or more is included in such proposed district, such municipality shall be made a party defendant.

From and after July 1, 2023, any municipality located in a county that is not a member of the district may, by resolution spread on its minutes, request that the Pat Harrison Waterway Commission petition the Chancery Court of Forrest County, Mississippi, to modify its decree organizing the district to include the municipality as a member of the district. The Board of Water Commissioners of the State of Mississippi shall be made a party defendant, and the chancery clerk shall furnish the Board of Water Commissioners with a copy of the petition with attached exhibits. The municipality applying for membership shall not be made a party defendant.

It shall not be necessary that any landowners in the counties or municipalities to be included in said proposed district be named in the petition, or be made parties defendant. The chancellor of the Chancery Court of Forrest County, Mississippi, shall have jurisdiction of the entire waterway district for the purposes of this article. Such jurisdiction may be exercised by the chancellor in term time or in vacation, as provided in this article.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-31-39 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 25 / Section 31-39
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-31-39
Status: in_force

If, after hearing all objections, if any, to the report of the commissioners and all applications, if any, to annex other lands to the proposed district by the owners of such lands, the court or chancellor finds that a drainage district should be organized, the map of the same shall be recorded and the order may be entered according to the findings of the court or chancellor, substantially as follows:

“The State of Mississippi

County of __________

__________ Term, A.D. 20___.

In the matter of the petition to organize __________ drainage district in the county of __________ and State of Mississippi.

This day the report of the drainage commissioners of said county, filed in this cause, having been heard, and it appearing to the court or chancellor that due notice has been given “to all persons interested” for the length of time and in the manner required by law of the application to this court for the confirmation of said report, and the court or chancellor having duly examined said report and considered all objections to the same, it is ordered by the court that the report of said commissioners (or if modified by the court, say as modified by the court) be, and the same is, hereby confirmed; and the court further finds that the work proposed in said petition to be done will be beneficial for agricultural and sanitary purposes to the owners of the lands within said proposed district. And the court also finds that the persons who have signed said petition are of lawful age and owners of land in number and quantity as required by law. And it is further hereby ordered and decreed by the court that said district be, and the same is, hereby duly organized as a body politic and corporate by the name and style of __________ drainage district in the county of __________ and the State of Mississippi.”

But if the court, after hearing said report and objections, finds that the work proposed in said petition and the report with estimated costs by the drainage commissioners will not be sufficiently beneficial and justifiable for agricultural and sanitary purposes to the owners of the lands within said proposed drainage district, then an order shall be entered on the minutes of the court dismissing the petition and disallowing the organization of the proposed drainage district; and all costs and expenses shall be adjudged against the petitioners for the proposed drainage district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-123 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 8 / Section 13-123
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-123
Status: in_force

The board of directors of the district is hereby authorized and empowered to borrow money or issue bonds of the district for the purpose of paying the costs of acquiring, owning, constructing, operating, repairing, and maintaining the projects and works specified herein, including related facilities and including all financing and financial advisory charges, interest during construction, engineering, architectural, legal, and other expenses incidental to and necessary for the foregoing, or for the carrying out of any power conferred by this article. Said board of directors is authorized and empowered to borrow money and issue bonds at such times and in such amounts as shall be provided for by resolution of the said board of directors, not to exceed the limitation prescribed in Section 51-13-127 . All such bonds so issued by said district shall be secured solely by a pledge of the avails of the two mills ad valorem tax levy provided for in Section 51-13-121 or so much thereof as may be necessary therefor, and of the net revenues as hereinafter defined or so much thereof as may be necessary therefor. Such bonds shall not constitute general obligations of the State of Mississippi or of the counties comprising said district, and such bonds shall not be secured by a pledge of the full faith, credit, and resources of said state or of said counties. Bonds of the district shall not be included in computing any present or future debt limit of any county in such district under any present or future law. “Revenues” as used in this article shall mean all charges, rentals, tolls, rates, gifts, grants, tax proceeds, moneys, and all other funds coming into the possession of the district by virtue of the provisions of this article, except the proceeds from the sale of bonds issued hereunder, and except the avails of the two mill ad valorem tax levy provided for in Section 51-13-121 . “Net revenues” as used in this article shall mean the revenues after payment of costs and expenses of operation and maintenance of the project and related facilities.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-31-79 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 29 / Section 31-79
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-31-79
Status: in_force

Where the lands of any drainage district lie in two or more counties of this state, the county drainage commissioners of the county in which the greatest or greater number of acres of land lies, and in which the suit is brought for the organization of the drainage district, shall have jurisdiction as county drainage commissioners under the chancellor or chancery court of the entire drainage district the same as if the entire drainage district lay in the county of their selection. In reporting to the board of supervisors levies of taxes to be made by the board for the payment of bonds and other obligations of the district, the county drainage commissioners having jurisdiction over such drainage district shall make report to the board of supervisors of each county in which any of the lands of the drainage district lie, showing all the lands and assessments thereon lying in such county. The board of supervisors of the county in which such lands lie shall make the required levies, and the tax collectors of the counties in which the lands lie shall collect the taxes thus levied and account to the treasurer of the drainage district therefor, as in other cases.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-91 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 27 / Section 29-91
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-91
Status: in_force

To the payment of both principal and interest of the bonds and other negotiable evidences of debt to be issued under the provisions of this chapter, the entire revenues of the district from any and all sources and all real estate and railroads subject to taxation in the district are by this chapter pledged, in an amount not to exceed the amount of betterments assessed against said lands and railroads. The board of commissioners is hereby required to set aside annually from the first revenues collected from any source whatever a sufficient amount to secure and pay the interest on said bonds and evidences of indebtedness and a sinking fund for their ultimate retirement, if a sinking fund is provided for.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-121 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 8 / Section 13-121
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-121
Status: in_force

In each county of the State of Mississippi which is part of the Tombigbee River Valley Water Management District, beginning with the ad valorem tax assessment for the calendar year 1964, payable on or before February 1, 1965, and so long as any bonds issued hereunder and other obligations are outstanding, the tax collector of said county shall pay into the depository selected by said water district for said purpose the amount of two mills of all ad valorem taxes due by said county to the State of Mississippi which is collected by the tax collector of said county, which may be collected by any lawful taxing agency of said county and state and for said county and the State of Mississippi shall continue to levy not less than two mills ad valorem taxes on each county in the district so long as any obligations or bonds issued pursuant to this article remain outstanding.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-8-15 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 2 / Section 8-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-8-15
Status: in_force

All costs incident to the publication of the notices and all other costs incident to the public hearing and election provided in Sections 51-8-7 and 51-8-11 may be paid by the applicable governing body.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-122 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 8 / Section 9-122
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-122
Status: in_force

(1) At any time more than fifteen (15) years after the commencement date of any residential lease from the district, the leaseholder shall have the option to renew and extend the lease for a new sixty-year term by giving the district notice of his exercise of this option to renew.

(2) At any time after the first fifteen (15) years of the term of any residential lease, the then present lessee may obtain from the district a new sixty-year lease on the terms and conditions contained in the then current lease form approved for use in residential leases with the exception of rent. Rent under such sixty-year leases will be payable on the same annual payment date as rent under the lease being renewed. The maximum annual rental under the new lease will be determined by the district as follows:

(a) Renewal of Leases with Fixed Rental (non-escalating): The district will recompute the annual rental due under the lease being renewed as if the lease had contained annual rents at the fixed amount stated in the lease for the first ten-year period, escalating thereafter at ten percent (10%), rounded to the nearest Five Dollars ($5.00), every five-year period. The annual rental which would have been payable as of the renewal date will be the annual rent payable for the first ten-year period of the renewed lease. Annual rental will escalate thereafter at ten percent (10%), rounded to the nearest Five Dollars ($5.00), every five (5) years. Recomputed annual rental will be payable from and after the first day of the renewed lease term and not for the period prior to renewal.

(b) Renewal of Leases with Escalating Rental: Annual rental will remain payable in accordance with the terms of the lease being renewed with rental continuing to escalate at ten percent (10%), rounded to the nearest Five Dollars ($5.00), every five (5) years during the renewed term.

(3) The district will charge a reasonable non-refundable fee for preparation of the renewal lease. The Lessee will be responsible for obtaining the consent of any mortgage holder to the lease modification.

(4) At any time a lessee is found to be in default or in breach of the terms and conditions contained in the lease, the district shall give thirty (30) days written notice to such lessee before terminating the lease. Such notice shall be by certified mail and shall specifically state the default or breach. If the lessee does not cure the default or breach within thirty (30) days of such notice, then the district shall give written notice to the holder of any mortgage or deed of trust on the leasehold and such holder shall thereupon have thirty (30) days to cure the default or breach before the lease is terminated.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-39-5 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 37 / Section 39-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-39-5
Status: in_force

Whenever used in this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(a) “ Board ” means the board of commissioners of a district.

(b) “ Cost of project ” means:

(i) All costs of site preparation and other start-up costs;

(ii) All costs of construction;

(iii) All costs of real and personal property required for the purposes of the project and facilities related thereto, including land and any rights or undivided interest therein, easements, franchises, fees, utility charges, permits, approvals, licenses, and certificates and the securing of any permits, approvals, licenses, and certificates and all machinery and equipment, including motor vehicles which are used for project functions;

(iv) All costs of engineering, geotechnical, architectural and legal services;

(v) All costs of plans and specifications and all expenses necessary or incident to determining the feasibility or practicability of the project;

(vi) Administrative expenses; and

(vii) Any other expenses as may be necessary or incidental to the project financing.

(c) “ County ” means any county of this state.

(d) “ Designated representative ” or “ incorporator ” means the person named by resolution of the governing body of a county or municipality as the representative of that unit of local government for the purpose of acting on their behalf as an incorporator in concert with other similarly named persons in the creation and incorporation of a storm water management district under this chapter.

(e) “ District ” means a storm water management district created under this chapter.

(f) “ Ditch ” means any branch or lateral drain, tile drain, levee, sluiceway, water course, floodgate, and any other construction work found necessary for the reclamation of wet and overflowed lands.

(g) “ Facilities ” mean any structure, building, ditch, pipe, channel, improvement, land, or other real or personal property used or useful in storm water management system under this chapter.

(h) “ Governing body ” means the elected or duly appointed officials constituting the governing body of a municipality or county.

(i) “ Incorporation agreement ” means that agreement between the designated representatives of various units of local government setting forth the formal creation of a storm water management district created under this chapter.

(j) “ Member ” means a unit of local government participating in a district.

(k) “ Municipality ” means any incorporated city, town or village in this state.

(l) “ Project ” means the collection, conveyance, retention, detention and any other portion of a storm water management system and any property, real or personal, used as or in connection with those purposes.

(m) “ Public agency ” means any municipality, county, political subdivision, governmental district or unit, public institution of higher learning, community college district, planning and development district, or any body politic and corporate or governmental agency created under the laws of the state.

(n) “ State ” means the State of Mississippi.

(o) “ Storm water ” means any flow occurring during or following any form of natural precipitation and resulting from that precipitation.

(p) “ Storm water management system ” means a system which is designed and constructed, implemented or operated to control storm water discharges to prevent or reduce flooding, over drainage or water pollution or to otherwise affect the quantity or quality of discharges from the system. The storm water management system includes all pipes, channels, ditches, streams, wetlands, detention or retention basins, ponds or other storm water conveyance or treatment facilities.

(q) “ Unit of local government ” means any county or municipality of the state.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-31-77 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 17 / Section 31-77
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-31-77
Status: in_force

In case any damages shall be allowed to any landowner for the construction of ditches across his said lands, actual damages shall be allowed. Such damages shall be paid in cash by giving to the party entitled thereto an order for the amount thereof on said district treasurer, who shall pay the same on presentation.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-7 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 4 / Section 13-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-7
Status: in_force

No reimbursement on the additional tax levies herein provided shall be made under the Homestead Exemption Law of 1946, being Sections 27-33-1 through 27-33-61 of the Mississippi Code of 1972 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-15-1 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 4 / Section 15-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-15-1
Status: in_force

There is hereby created the Pat Harrison Waterway Commission composed of Clarke, Covington, Forrest, George, Greene, Jackson, Jasper, Jones, Lamar, Lauderdale, Newton, Perry, Smith, Stone, and Wayne Counties in the State of Mississippi, to be governed by a board consisting of one member from each such county and three members from the state at large, all to be appointed by the governor to serve for a term of four years or until their successors are appointed and qualified. The governor shall designate in his appointment the chairman and vice-chairman thereof. They shall serve without pay except for their actual traveling expenses and other necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties, to be reimbursed as in the case of state employees under the provisions of general law. Upon appointment, said members shall meet and organize at Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and set a regular time and place for the meetings of the commission, secure offices and all necessary equipment, and obtain such engineering, professional, clerical, and other assistance as may be necessary in order to accomplish the purposes of this article. An executive director may be appointed by the board if this is deemed advisable, and salaries of all personnel may be paid out of funds provided under the terms of this article in an amount agreeable to the commission.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-33-59 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 33 / Section 33-59
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-33-59
Status: in_force

Any owner of land situated in any drainage district of the State of Mississippi, which has an outstanding bonded indebtedness, may secure the release of his land or any part thereof from the lien of the assessment of benefits thereon for drainage purposes by paying to the drainage commissioners the full amount of the outstanding assessed benefits against his property or any part thereof. The drainage commissioners or their duly authorized officer, upon receipt of said fund, shall execute to the property owner a full release of his land from the lien of said assessment and acknowledge said release, which may be recorded by the owner in the office of the chancery clerk of the county where said land is situated. However, nothing herein shall have the effect of releasing any land situated in a drainage district from its liability for annual maintenance taxes as now or which may hereafter be levied.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-7-33 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 3 / Section 7-33
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-7-33
Status: in_force

The commissioners may, at any time after the organization of the district, acquire permanent easements and rights of way for constructing, clearing, improving, and maintaining channels, canals and ditches within the district, in accordance with the provisions of Section 51-29-39 , insofar as such provisions may be applicable. It shall not be necessary to personally summon the landowners affected, but in lieu thereof notice may be given by publication in the same manner as provided by Section 51-7-11 , on plans and specifications of the district filed with the chancery clerk. The findings of the court, or chancellor in vacation, shall be final and have the force and effect of a judgment, from which appeal may be taken within twenty (20) days to the supreme court of the state, either by the property owner or by the commissioners of the district.

In lieu of the method herein provided for acquiring land and making compensation for damages, the commissioners may at any time after the organization of the district acquire permanent easements and rights-of-way for constructing and maintaining works of improvement within or without the district boundaries, such works of improvement to include floodwater retarding structures, impoundment structures and construction and improvement of channels, canals and ditches, in accordance with the provisions of Section 51-29-39 , insofar as such provisions may be applicable.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-121 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 29 / Section 29-121
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-121
Status: in_force

Whenever such districts include within their boundaries land already included in an existing drainage district, such land in the existing district shall remain liable for benefits already assessed or that may thereafter be assessed by such existing district, and shall also be liable to be assessed for benefits by the new district as now provided by law; but such land in an existing district may, for any of its improvements used by the new district, be given credit against the assessment of benefits levied by the new district to the amount of its pro rata portion of all the bonded and outstanding indebtedness, including interest to accrue upon such bonds and indebtedness of such existing district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-35-309 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 33 / Section 35-309
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-35-309
Status: in_force

After the filing of the petition, the chancellor shall enter an order fixing the date, either in term time or in vacation, place, and time for a hearing of the cause on the original petition, exhibits, and any answers or other pleadings filed. The chancery clerk shall give notice of such hearing to all persons interested by posting notices thereof at the door of the courthouse of the county or counties in which the district is situated and in at least ten public places in said proposed district, and also by publishing said notice at least once a week for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper published in each of the counties and municipalities proposed to be included in such flood and drainage control district. If there is no newspaper published in any such county or municipality, then it shall be sufficient to publish said notice in a newspaper having a general circulation in such county and municipality. Such notice shall be addressed to the property owners, qualified electors of said proposed district, and all other persons interested, shall state when and in what court said petition was and is filed, shall state the general area included in such district, and shall command all such persons to appear before the chancery court, or the chancellor in vacation, of the county in which said petition was filed and, upon the date fixed by the chancellor, to show cause, if any they can, why the proposed flood and drainage control district should not be organized and established as prayed for in said petition. The date for such hearing shall not be less than five days nor more than forty days after the last publication of such notice. For the purposes of the publication or notice hereinabove mentioned and for the purposes of describing the lands to be included in the district, it shall be sufficient in describing the said lands as all or parts of townships, all or parts of sections, and all or parts of lands lying within the corporate limits of any city, town, or village, and it shall be sufficient to describe the regions and lands proposed to be included in such flood and drainage control district in general terms with a generally accurate description of such regions and lands.

If the court or chancellor finds that the notice or publication was not given as provided in this article, it shall not thereby lose jurisdiction, but the court or chancellor shall order due publication or notice to be given and shall continue the hearing until such publication or notice shall be properly given; and the court or chancellor shall thereupon proceed as though publication or notice had been properly given in the first instance.

Upon the entry of said order fixing the date for said hearing, the chancery clerk of said court shall issue a citation to any county or municipality not joining in said petition and in which may lie any part of the proposed district to show cause, if any they can, why the proposed district should not be created as prayed for in said petition, which said citation shall be forthwith served by the sheriff according to law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-31-19 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 25 / Section 31-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-31-19
Status: in_force

The drainage commissioners may employ an attorney to assist in the formation and administration of the drainage district, and to represent the district in all matters of a legal nature, at a fixed or agreed compensation, subject to the confirmation of the chancery court or chancellor in vacation, who may decrease but not increase such compensation.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-107 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 4 / Section 9-107
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-107
Status: in_force

All powers of the district shall be exercised by a board of directors, to be composed of the following:

(a) Each member of the Pearl River Industrial Commission whose county becomes a part of the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District shall be a member of the Board of Directors of the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District. Such directors shall serve on this board during their term of office on the Pearl River Industrial Commission. In addition, the board of supervisors of each county that becomes a part of the district shall appoint one (1) additional member, who shall serve for a term concurrent with the terms of the members of the board of supervisors. The members shall be appointed at the first meeting of the board of supervisors in January after the supervisors take office. The members appointed from Madison County and Rankin County shall be persons who reside on and are holders of residential leases from the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District that are located in Madison County and Rankin County, respectively, or who reside in established subdivisions in Madison County and Rankin County, respectively, in which some of the residential property of the subdivision is leased from the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District.

The members appointed from Madison County and Rankin County who are serving on July 1, 2012, shall continue to serve until January 1, 2013, after which date the Board of Supervisors of Madison County and the Board of Supervisors of Rankin County each shall appoint one (1) member who meets the residency requirements of this section. The persons appointed under the provisions of this paragraph shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term.

(b) The Mississippi Commission on Environmental Quality, the Mississippi Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, Forestry Commission and the State Board of Health of the State of Mississippi shall each appoint one (1) director from that department to serve on the Board of Directors of the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District to serve at the pleasure of the respective board appointing him. From and after January 1, 2013, each of the members appointed under this paragraph (b) shall be a person who resides on and is a holder of a residential lease from the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District.

(c) Each director shall take and subscribe to the oath of office required by Section 268 of the Constitution of the State of Mississippi before a chancery clerk, that he will faithfully discharge the duties of the office, which oath shall be filed with the clerk and by him preserved.

(d) Each director shall receive per diem compensation in the amount as provided in Section 25-3-69 for attending each meeting of the board and for each day spent in attending to the necessary business of the district and shall be reimbursed for actual expenses thus incurred upon express authorization of the board, including travel expenses, as provided in Section 25-3-41 .

(e) The board of directors shall annually elect from its number a president and a vice president of the district, and such other officers as in the judgment of the board are necessary. The president shall be the chief executive officer of the district and the presiding officer of the board, and shall have the same right to vote as any other director. The vice president shall perform all duties and exercise all powers conferred by this article upon the president when the president is absent or fails or declines to act, except the president's right to vote. The board shall also appoint a secretary and a treasurer who may or may not be members of the board, and it may combine those offices. The treasurer shall give bond in the sum of not less than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) as set by the board of directors and each director shall give bond in the sum of not less than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), and the premiums on those bonds shall be an expense of the district. The condition of each such bond shall be that the treasurer or director will faithfully perform all duties of office and account for all money which shall come into his custody as treasurer or director of the district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-15-105 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 3 / Section 15-105
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-15-105
Status: repealed

(1) All powers of the district shall be exercised by a board of directors to be composed of the following:

(a) [Repealed]

(b) From and after January 9, 1996, the Governor shall appoint three (3) members of the Board of Directors of the Pat Harrison Waterway District from the district at large. No more than one (1) appointment may be made by the Governor from any one (1) county in the district. All initial appointments made pursuant to this paragraph shall be made no later than February 1, 1996, and no person appointed under this paragraph shall be an elected official or a county employee. All appointments made pursuant to this paragraph shall be for terms of four (4) years each or until a successor is appointed and qualifies.

(c) From and after January 9, 1996, the board of supervisors of each county in the Pat Harrison Waterway District shall have an appointment to the board of directors of the district as follows: the boards of supervisors of the counties of Clarke, Covington and Forrest shall each appoint a member from their respective counties for an initial term of one (1) year; the boards of supervisors of the counties of George, Greene, Jackson and Jasper shall each appoint a member from their respective counties for an initial term of two (2) years; the boards of supervisors of the counties of Jones, Lamar, Lauderdale and Newton shall each appoint a member from their respective counties for an initial term of three (3) years; and the boards of supervisors of the counties of Perry, Smith, Stone and Wayne shall each appoint a member from their respective counties for an initial term of four (4) years. All initial appointments made pursuant to this paragraph shall be made no later than February 1, 1996, and no person appointed under this paragraph shall be an elected official or a county employee. All appointments made pursuant to this paragraph after the initial appointments shall be for terms of four (4) years each or until a successor is appointed and qualifies.

(d) The directors appointed pursuant to paragraphs (b) and (c) of this subsection shall not discontinue any litigation pending on January 9, 1996, with respect to monetary payments owed to the district by any member county, and such directors shall pursue such litigation to a conclusion.

(2) Each director shall take and subscribe to the general oath of office required by Section 268 of the Constitution of the State of Mississippi before a chancery clerk, that he will faithfully discharge the duties of the office, which oath shall be filed with the clerk and by him preserved.

(3) Each director shall receive a per diem in the amount established in Section 25-3-69, Mississippi Code of 1972 , for attending each day's meeting of the board and for each day spent in attending to the necessary business of the district and, in addition, he may receive reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses thus incurred, upon express authorization of the board.

(4) The board of directors shall annually elect from its number a president and a vice president of the district, and such other officers as in the judgment of the board are necessary. The president shall be the chief executive officer of the district and the presiding officer of the board, and shall have the same right to vote as any other director. The vice president shall perform all duties and exercise all powers conferred by this article upon the president when the president is absent or fails or declines to act, except the president's right to vote. The board shall also appoint a secretary and a treasurer, who may or may not be members of the board, and it may combine those offices. Except as otherwise provided for in this subsection, the treasurer shall give bond in the sum of not less than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) as set by the board of directors, and each director may be required to give bond in the sum of not less than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) with sureties qualified to do business in this state, and the premium on such bonds shall be an expense of the district. The condition of each bond shall be that the treasurer or director will faithfully perform all duties of his office and account for all money or other assets which shall come into his custody as treasurer or director of the district. In lieu of the bonds required by this subsection, the board may authorize that the district purchase an equivalent amount of errors and omissions insurance for the treasurer and directors.

(5) Each director shall meet with the board of supervisors of the county from which he is appointed at least twice a year at reasonable times established by the board of supervisors.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-1 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 25 / Section 29-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-1
Status: in_force

This chapter shall govern the future operation of all drainage districts heretofore organized or now in process of organization under the provisions of Chapter 195 of the Laws of 1912 and amendments thereto, and such other districts as may hereafter be organized under the provisions of this chapter, or which may elect to come within its provisions in the manner herein provided.

All of the provisions of Chapters 31 and 33 of this title which are not contained in this chapter, and which do not conflict with any of the provisions of this chapter, shall apply to any districts organized or operating hereunder.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-7-19 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 2 / Section 7-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-7-19
Status: in_force

At the time named in said notice, or on a subsequent date to which the cause may be continued, the chancellor shall hear all property owners within the district who wish to appear and advocate or resist the carrying out of the work plans as filed within said district, and if he deems it to the best interest of the owners of the real property within said district that said plans be adopted, or adopted as modified by the chancellor, under the provisions of this chapter, he shall make an order approving said report as submitted or as modified. Thereupon the organization of said master water management district shall be deemed to be fully completed, and henceforth the district shall be a governmental subdivision of the state and a public body, corporate and politic, with authority to do and perform in the name of such district all such acts and things for the accomplishment of the purposes for which it was organized. However, if the chancellor shall disapprove said report and shall decline to allow its modification or resubmission, then such district shall not be organized and the terms of office of the commissioners shall terminate, except as to powers which may be necessary in effecting payment of any preliminary indebtedness as provided in Section 51-7-15 , except that such termination shall not become final until the expiration of the time for an appeal without an appeal having been taken or, in the event an appeal is taken, until final determination of the proceeding has been made by the courts.

If upon the hearing provided for in this section, a petition is presented to the chancery court, or the chancellor in vacation, signed by a majority of the landowners owning one-third ( 1 / 3 ) of the land, or, one-third ( 1 / 3 ) of the landholders owning a majority of the land, praying that the improvements be made, it shall be the duty of the court or chancellor to make the order establishing the district, without further inquiry, if it appear that the establishment thereof be necessary for the promotion of public health and for agricultural purposes. However, if upon that day a petition signed by a majority of the landowners owning one-third ( 1 / 3 ) of the land, or one-third ( 1 / 3 ) of the landowners owning a majority of the land, be presented praying that the improvements be not made, it shall be the duty of the court or chancellor to so order, but if no such petition is filed it shall be the duty of the court or chancellor to investigate and to establish such district if he is of the opinion the establishment thereof will be to the advantage of the owners of real property therein, and is for the public benefit. The petition provided for therein may be signed by women, whether married or single, owning land in the proposed district, guardians may sign for their wards, and trustees, executors and administrators may sign for the estate represented by them; if the signature of any corporation thereto is attested by the corporate seal, the same shall be sufficient evidence of the assent of the corporation to said petition.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-3-44 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 1 / Section 3-44
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-3-44
Status: in_force

(1) No person may be required to disclose any trade secret, including any formula, process or methods used in any manufacturing operation or any confidential information concerning business activities.

(2) The provisions of the Mississippi Public Records Act shall govern any request to have the commission declare information confidential, subject to specific provisions of this section.

(3) No confidentiality claim or determination of confidentiality shall prevent disclosure of the information to authorized department or federal employees.

(4) Information submitted to the commission containing any trade secret, including any formula, process or methods used in any manufacturing operation or any confidential information concerning business activities, specifically identified as confidential by the applicant and which is not essential for any public review as determined by the commission, shall be kept confidential by the department if:

(a) A written confidentiality claim is made when the information is supplied; and

(b) The confidentiality claim is determined by the commission, after hearing, to be valid.

If the confidentiality claim is denied, the information will not be released until the party claiming confidentiality has withdrawn its claim or has exhausted its administrative remedies. During the pendency of the proceedings the department shall not in any way use the contested information.

(5) Any public officer or employee who violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined a sum not to exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) and dismissed from public office or employment.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-15-5 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 9 / Section 15-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-15-5
Status: in_force

The commission shall be financed in all of its activities from funds made available by each of the associated counties, and each such county is authorized and empowered to contribute any amount or amounts which the board of supervisors thereof shall deem advisable, acting in their sole discretion, to be paid from the general county fund of the respective counties.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-31-107 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 31 / Section 31-107
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-31-107
Status: in_force

The chancellor shall have the power to appoint a master as provided by the Mississippi Rules of Civil Procedure to hear and determine any and all matters which, under the provisions of this chapter or any act amendatory thereof, it is the duty of the chancellor to hear and determine. The master shall report his findings to the chancellor for confirmation, such findings to be subject to exceptions in the same manner as other reports of masters are now subject to exceptions, and such masters may continue any such hearings from time to time as the chancellor may do. Said reports may be confirmed at any time and place which may have been designated in the order of reference without further notice.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-39-3 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 33 / Section 39-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-39-3
Status: in_force

The Legislature hereby finds and declares that:

(a) Storm water may contain contaminants which can degrade surface water quality;

(b) Due to the volume of water and the rate of flow, storm water runoff can pose a flood hazard to public and private property;

(c) The proper management of storm water is of concern to all citizens and is an activity thoroughly affecting the public interest;

(d) In certain areas of the state, the health, safety and welfare of the people of this state require efficient management of storm water;

(e) Federal regulations require portions of some local governments to develop and implement storm water management programs;

(f) There is a need for proper planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance of appropriate measures for the management of storm water; and

(g) There is a need to foster cooperation among local governments in addressing concerns resulting from storm water management, therefore it is necessary and desirable to authorize the creation of storm water management districts by counties and municipalities to plan for, design, acquire, construct, operate and maintain appropriate measures for management of storm water.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-179 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 9 / Section 9-179
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-179
Status: in_force

The district, by the act of the appointment of any reservoir police officer, shall be liable and responsible for all acts of such reservoir police officer while he is acting or purporting to act under the provisions of this article, whether such action be authorized by this article or not; further, the district shall indemnify the State of Mississippi and any sheriff for any loss, costs or expenses incurred by virtue of any act, deed or omission committed by a reservoir police officer while he is acting or purporting to act under the provisions of this article, whether the act, deed or omission is authorized by this article or not.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-3-5 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 2 / Section 3-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-3-5
Status: in_force

(1) No person who is not specifically exempted by this chapter shall use water without having first obtained a permit as provided herein and without having otherwise complied with the provisions of this chapter, the regulations promulgated hereunder and any applicable permit conditions.

(2) All persons having acquired a right to use surface water prior to April 1, 1985 are entitled to continue such use, provided that such right shall be contingent upon filing a notice of claim to such use with the commission on a form promulgated by the commission. Any person who shall fail to file said notice within three (3) years of April 1, 1985 shall be deemed to have abandoned such use and the right to such use shall automatically terminate without further action of the board.

(3) Any person using groundwater prior to April 1, 1985 for a beneficial use shall be entitled to continue such use upon the filing with the commission of a notice of claim on a form promulgated by the commission within three (3) years from April 1, 1985. Any such person failing to file said notice of claim within the prescribed period shall be deemed to have abandoned such use and the right to such use shall automatically terminate without further action by the board.

(4) Notwithstanding rights as envisioned in subsections (2) and (3) of this section, all users of water shall continue to be subject to regulations promulgated by the commission regarding the use of surface water and groundwater for the benefit of the health and public welfare of citizens of this state.

(5) As soon as practicable after April 1, 1985, the board shall give notice to all persons affected by the provisions of subsections (2) and (3) of this section regarding the requirement to file the notices of claims mentioned therein. If the names and mailing addresses of such affected persons are available to the board, actual written notice, by certified mail, shall be given by the board. If such names and mailing addresses are not available to the board, notice shall be given by publication at least one (1) time per week for not less than three (3) consecutive weeks in one or more newspapers of general circulation in each county of the state.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-107 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 5 / Section 9-107
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-107
Status: in_force

All powers of the district shall be exercised by a board of directors, to be composed of the following:

(a) Each member of the Pearl River Industrial Commission whose county becomes a part of the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District shall be a member of the Board of Directors of the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District. Such directors shall serve on this board during their term of office on the Pearl River Industrial Commission. In addition, the board of supervisors of each county that becomes a part of the district shall appoint one (1) additional member, who shall serve for a term concurrent with the terms of the members of the board of supervisors. The members shall be appointed at the first meeting of the board of supervisors in January after the supervisors take office. The members appointed from Madison County and Rankin County shall be persons who reside on and are holders of residential leases from the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District that are located in Madison County and Rankin County, respectively, or who reside in established subdivisions in Madison County and Rankin County, respectively, in which some of the residential property of the subdivision is leased from the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District.

The members appointed from Madison County and Rankin County who are serving on July 1, 2012, shall continue to serve until January 1, 2013, after which date the Board of Supervisors of Madison County and the Board of Supervisors of Rankin County each shall appoint one (1) member who meets the residency requirements of this section. The persons appointed under the provisions of this paragraph shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term.

(b) The Mississippi Commission on Environmental Quality, the Mississippi Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, Forestry Commission and the State Board of Health of the State of Mississippi shall each appoint one (1) director from that department to serve on the Board of Directors of the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District to serve at the pleasure of the respective board appointing him. From and after January 1, 2013, each of the members appointed under this paragraph (b) shall be a person who resides on and is a holder of a residential lease from the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District.

(c) Each director shall take and subscribe to the oath of office required by Section 268 of the Constitution of the State of Mississippi before a chancery clerk, that he will faithfully discharge the duties of the office, which oath shall be filed with the clerk and by him preserved.

(d) Each director shall receive per diem compensation in the amount as provided in Section 25-3-69 for attending each meeting of the board and for each day spent in attending to the necessary business of the district and shall be reimbursed for actual expenses thus incurred upon express authorization of the board, including travel expenses, as provided in Section 25-3-41 .

(e) The board of directors shall annually elect from its number a president and a vice president of the district, and such other officers as in the judgment of the board are necessary. The president shall be the chief executive officer of the district and the presiding officer of the board, and shall have the same right to vote as any other director. The vice president shall perform all duties and exercise all powers conferred by this article upon the president when the president is absent or fails or declines to act, except the president's right to vote. The board shall also appoint a secretary and a treasurer who may or may not be members of the board, and it may combine those offices. The treasurer shall give bond in the sum of not less than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) as set by the board of directors and each director shall give bond in the sum of not less than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), and the premiums on those bonds shall be an expense of the district. The condition of each such bond shall be that the treasurer or director will faithfully perform all duties of office and account for all money which shall come into his custody as treasurer or director of the district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-8-63 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 1 / Section 8-63
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-8-63
Status: in_force

(1) If authorized pursuant to Section 51-9-121 , 51-11-13 , 51-13-111 or 51-15-119 , as applicable, any corporate body organized under the provisions of Chapters 9, 11, 13 and 15 of Title 51, Mississippi Code of 1972 , may elect by resolution duly adopted by its board of directors, to acquire and assume the power, duties and responsibilities of a joint water management district as set forth in Sections 51-8-27 through 51-8-55, Mississippi Code of 1972 , by petitioning the Commission on Environmental Quality. The petition shall be in the form and content as prescribed by the commission and shall state the intention of the district to perform functions meeting the purposes for the creation of joint water management districts set out in Section 51-8-3, Mississippi Code of 1972 .

(2) The commission may deny, grant preliminary approval of the petition and request additional information or grant preliminary approval of the petition and direct the district to proceed with the formulation of a water management plan for the district.

(3) No petition shall be finally and unconditionally granted until the district has submitted to the commission a water management plan for the district that meets the criteria set forth by the commission. Upon submission of a district water management plan and the satisfactory completion of any other requirements, the commission may finally and unconditionally approve the district's petition and grant the district joint water management district status.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-3 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 3 / Section 9-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-3
Status: in_force

The members shall serve without pay except they shall be reimbursed out of county funds provided by this article for their actual traveling expenses and other necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties, in an amount equal to travel and subsistence expenses allowed state employees under law. Upon appointment, said members shall meet and organize at some place designated by the governor, which shall be in one of the participating counties; and the members shall set a regular time and place for the members of the commission to meet, secure offices and all necessary equipment, and employ such engineering, professional, clerical, stenographic, and other assistance as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this article. An executive director may be appointed by the board if this is deemed advisable, and salaries of all personnel may be paid out of funds provided under the terms of this article in an amount agreeable to the commission.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-15-5 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 3 / Section 15-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-15-5
Status: in_force

The commission shall be financed in all of its activities from funds made available by each of the associated counties, and each such county is authorized and empowered to contribute any amount or amounts which the board of supervisors thereof shall deem advisable, acting in their sole discretion, to be paid from the general county fund of the respective counties.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-207 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 7 / Section 9-207
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-207
Status: in_force

The district may issue refunding bonds for the purpose of paying any of its bonds at or prior to maturity or upon acceleration or redemption. Refunding bonds may be issued at such time prior to the maturity or redemption of the refunded bonds as the district deems to be in the public interest, without notice and without an election on the question of the issuance thereof. The refunding bonds may be issued in sufficient amounts to pay or provide the principal of the bonds being refunded, together with any redemption premium thereon, any interest accrued or to accrue to the date of payment of such bonds, the expenses of issue of the refunding bonds, the expenses of redeeming the bonds being refunded and such reserves for debt service or other capital or current expenses from the proceeds of such refunding bonds as may be required by the resolution, trust indenture or other security instruments. The issue of refunding bonds, the maturities and other details thereof, the security therefor, the rights of the holders and the rights, duties and obligations of the district in respect of the same shall be governed by the provisions of this act relating to the issue of bonds other than refunding bonds insofar as the same may be applicable. Any such refunding may be effected, whether the obligations to be refunded shall have then matured or shall thereafter mature, either by the exchange of the refunding bonds for the obligations to be refunded thereby with the consent of the holders of the obligations so to be refunded, or by sale of the refunding bonds and the application of the proceeds thereof to the payment of the obligations proposed to be refunded thereby, and regardless of whether the obligations proposed to be refunded shall be payable on the same date or different dates or shall be due serially or otherwise.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-139 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 3 / Section 9-139
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-139
Status: in_force

To provide additional funds for the payment of the principal of, interest on, and other charges in connection with bonds issued under the provisions of this article, in the event its anticipated revenue and funds are found to be insufficient therefor by order entered on its minutes each year that such tax is found necessary, a copy of which order shall be published for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper published in each county of the district thirty days before such levy is made by the board of supervisors, the district is also empowered to levy annually a special tax, not to exceed two mills upon all of the taxable property within such district, on or before the first Monday of September of each year and shall certify the levy to the boards of supervisors of the various counties in said district; and it shall be the duty of the boards of supervisors to make said levy on each tract of land or other property in said county, according to the assessed valuation thereof. Such taxes shall be collected by the tax collectors of the respective counties in said district, who shall deposit them in such depository as shall be selected by the board of directors of the district. Where bonds are issued payable wholly or partially from ad valorem taxes, it shall be the duty of the board of directors to levy a tax sufficient, together with pledged revenues other than the taxes authorized hereunder, to pay the bonds and the interest thereon as such bonds and interest become due, provided that in no event shall the tax levied exceed two mills. Any part of this levy lost through homestead exemption shall not be reimbursed by the state.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-39-43 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 37 / Section 39-43
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-39-43
Status: in_force

This chapter, without reference to any other statute, shall be deemed to be full and complete authority for the creation of a district. No proceedings shall be required for the creation of a district other than those provided for and required in this chapter. All the necessary powers to be exercised by the governing body of a county or municipality and by the board of commissioners of any district, in order to carry out this chapter, are hereby conferred.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-3-18 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 1 / Section 3-18
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-3-18
Status: in_force

The Department of Environmental Quality, through the Office of Land and Water Resources or a successor office, may provide water resources-related assistance to any authority or district created or established under this title.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-107 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 7 / Section 13-107
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-107
Status: in_force

(1) Within twenty (20) days after the passage of this article, the Mississippi Commission on Environmental Quality, State Board of Health, Mississippi Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, and the Forestry Commission of the State of Mississippi shall appoint their respective members to the proposed district board of directors as provided in Section 51-13-105 . The four (4) appointive members, upon taking the oath as provided, shall meet in the Office of the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality in Jackson, Mississippi, within ten (10) days and adopt by a majority vote a resolution setting forth their intentions of creating the district and shall forthwith send a certified copy of said resolution to: (1) each member of the Tombigbee Valley Authority as now constituted, (2) the Governor, (3) executive officers of the Mississippi Commission on Environmental Quality, Board of Health, Mississippi Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, and Forestry Commission, and (4) the president of the board of supervisors and chancery clerk of each county through which any part of the Tombigbee River or any of its tributaries lie. The four (4) state agencies herein named and the Tombigbee Valley Authority may, within ten (10) days from receipt of said resolution, adopt its own resolution favorable or unfavorable to the creation of said district; and the respective boards of supervisors may at their next regular meeting likewise adopt a resolution favorable or unfavorable to creating said district. All of said resolutions adopted shall be certified by its secretary, clerk, or executive officer and shall be filed with each state agency, political subdivision, or other agency named in Section 55-13-105.

(2) Every board of supervisors of those counties desiring to become members of the district, through which the Tombigbee River or any of its tributaries lie, shall, upon receipt of the certified resolutions mentioned in this section, declare said board's intentions by adopting a resolution expressing its desire to have said district created and to levy an ad valorem tax not to exceed one-half ( 1 / 2 ) mill on all the taxable property within the Tombigbee Watershed area of said county for the use and benefit of the Tombigbee River Valley Water Management District. The said resolution shall be published once each week for three (3) consecutive weeks in some newspaper published in the county and having a general circulation therein, and if no petition signed by twenty percent (20%) of the qualified electors of the county is filed with the board requesting the calling of an election on the question of the county's participation in the district and the levying of the one-half ( 1 / 2 ) mill tax levy aforesaid, the board may proceed to have the county become a member of said district and to levy the one-half ( 1 / 2 ) mill tax levy but if, within twenty-one (21) days after the date of the first publication of said resolution, a petition signed by at least twenty percent (20%) of the qualified electors of said county, requesting an election on the proposition of said county becoming a member of the proposed district and the levying of the one-half ( 1 / 2 ) mill tax as herein provided, is filed, said election shall be held and conducted as now provided by law for such elections. If such an election is held and a majority of those voting therein vote for the proposition, the board shall, by appropriate resolution, bring the county into the district and levy the one-half ( 1 / 2 ) mill tax as otherwise provided by law. If the majority of those voting in such election shall vote against the proposition, then the county shall not become a member of the district nor levy the one-half ( 1 / 2 ) mill tax; and no further election shall be so conducted until the lapse of two (2) years after the last election.

(3) Whenever an aggregate of six (6) counties have become members of the Tombigbee River Valley Water Management District in the manner provided in this section, the said district shall be created as an agency of the state and a body politic and corporate with all of the powers granted it by statute.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-11-105 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 1 / Section 11-105
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-11-105
Status: in_force

The following provisions related to the Lower Pearl River Restoration Project (“project”) are contingent upon the development of an agreement, or an amendment to the existing agreement, between the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (“MDEQ”), the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (“DWFP”) and the district, removing the district from the agreement, and possibly adding a new cooperating partner or partners and possibly removing the MDEQ and/or the DWFP from the agreement.

From and after July 1, 2018, the project, currently being managed as a joint effort of the MDEQ, the DWFP, and the district, shall continue as per existing agreements, which may be amended to reflect the dissolution of the district and its removal from those agreements. The obligations of the district under the current agreements for the project may be assumed by the MDEQ, or other entity, as the designated state entity for the continuing obligation of maintenance of the water control structures as set forth in the original agreements. The parties to the agreement may identify necessary maintenance activities needed to preserve the integrity of project structures and other ordinary maintenance activities as the parties may agree need to be performed. Funding to perform those maintenance activities shall come from the Lower Pearl trust account currently on deposit with a depository or depositories in the name of the Pearl River Basin Development District, which funds are a special fund set aside solely for the operation and maintenance of the project. From and after July 1, 2018, the parties to the agreement, may assume ownership, in trust, of those funds, and the funds shall be known as the “Lower Pearl River Restoration Trust Fund.” Monies from this fund shall be a special fund set aside for the purpose(s) set forth in the amended or reformed agreement between the parties and shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and may not be expended for any purpose other than operation and maintenance activities under the purview of the project.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-21 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 27 / Section 29-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-21
Status: in_force

Such plans and specifications shall show not merely the location, width, and depth of the ditches, but also the work to be done in removing obstructions from water courses, the building of pumping stations, dams, flumes, floodgates, fences to protect the district, and such levees as may be necessary to protect the land from overflow. Whenever federal financial or other assistance is furnished in connection with the planning or construction of the proposed improvements, such plans and specifications shall be detailed only to the extent required by the federal department or agency responsible for furnishing such assistance.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-41-11 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 33 / Section 41-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-41-11
Status: in_force

The application for reconstitution and certificate of incorporation shall be signed and acknowledged by a majority of the board of directors of the qualified corporation. When the application for reconstitution and certificate of incorporation and other required documents have been so filed with and accepted by the Secretary of State, as evidenced by the issuance by the Secretary of State of its certificate of existence in a form that the Secretary of State may deem appropriate, the water authority referred to in the application shall come into existence and shall constitute a body corporate and politic in perpetuity with power of perpetual succession and a political subdivision of the state under the name set forth in the application, and the water authority shall be vested with the rights and powers granted in this chapter and any other applicable laws. At the same time, the qualified corporation shall cease to exist and all assets and liabilities of every nature, including without limitation, all real property, personal property, certificate of public necessity and convenience, contractual obligations, lending obligations outstanding, rights afforded borrowers of federal and state funds and other tangible and intangible assets and liabilities of every nature shall, without need for further action or approval by any third party, be vested in and shall accrue to the benefit of the water authority. The water authority shall then send notice of transfer of said certificate to the Mississippi Public Service Commission.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-4-21.3 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 4 / Section 4-21.3
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-4-21.3
Status: in_force

In accordance with Section 51-4-7 , the Pascagoula River from the confluence of the Chickasawhay and Leaf Rivers in George County to its mouth in Jackson County is designated as eligible for nomination to the State Scenic Streams Stewardship Program.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-4-23.5 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 2 / Section 4-23.5
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-4-23.5
Status: in_force

In accordance with Section 51-4-7 , the Pascagoula River from the confluence of the Chickasawhay and Leaf Rivers in George County to its mouth in Jackson County, which was designated as eligible for nomination to the State Scenic Streams Stewardship Program under Section 51-4-21.3 , is designated as a state scenic stream and is included in the State Scenic Streams Stewardship Program.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-26-5 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 26 / Section 26-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-26-5
Status: in_force

Each of the counties in which the Tallahatchie River Authority is located is authorized and empowered to contribute any amount or amounts which the board of supervisors thereof deems advisable, acting in their sole discretion, to be paid from the general county fund of the respective counties.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-3 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 8 / Section 13-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-3
Status: in_force

The Tombigbee Valley Authority is hereby authorized and empowered to do any and all things necessary or desirable in making a survey or surveys of that portion of the Tombigbee River situated in the State of Mississippi and its tributaries to investigate the possibilities of developing that portion of the Tombigbee River lying and being in Mississippi, which comprises a segment from the Tennessee River on the north through the States of Mississippi and Alabama to the Gulf of Mexico at Mobile, Alabama, in co-operation with the federal government and any and all agencies thereof assisting in such survey or proposed plans for projects which upon completion would lead to the industrial development of this state, to the opening of an additional inland waterway to the Gulf of Mexico, and to the control of the flood waters of the Tombigbee River in Mississippi. It is contemplated that plans be considered and surveys made for the opening of a water route from the northern headwaters of the Tombigbee River, and particularly the east branch of the Tombigbee River, its tributaries, and the Tennessee River as a part of the over-all plans to be considered by this authority.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-127 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 26 / Section 29-127
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-127
Status: in_force

When lands in an existing district, and which have been assessed for benefits, are acquired for rights of way by such districts for canals, ditches, levees, floodways, by-passes, or other necessary drainage purposes, assessments already levied or that may be levied against such land to pay its proportion of outstanding bonds or other obligations of the existing district, including all interest to accrue thereon, shall be assumed and paid by the new district so taking or so acquiring such land, in the proportion that its value, as fixed by condemnation, shall bear to the value of the land included in the entire district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-81 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 17 / Section 29-81
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-81
Status: in_force

All taxes levied under the terms of this chapter shall be payable at the same time the state and county taxes are payable. The tax collector shall place the same upon the tax receipt along with the state and county and other taxes, shall collect all of the taxes due on said land together, and shall not accept payment of any sum less than the entire aggregate amount of all state, county, drainage, and other taxes due upon said lands. Should said taxes, including the drainage taxes, be not paid at maturity, the tax collector shall sell said lands for all taxes due thereon, including drainage taxes, at the time and in the manner now provided for the sale of land for taxes due thereon to the state and county. Such sale shall be subject to the provisions of law for the sale of land for state and county taxes, and the owner of said land shall have the right to redeem from said sale as now provided by law.

When any lands situated in a drainage district are sold for nonpayment of taxes thereon, the drainage district in which same is situated may, in the discretion of its board of commissioners, appear at said sale and purchase said land in the name of the drainage district in the same manner as an individual, and in that event shall pay to the tax collector the amount of said purchase price out of the funds of the district.

If upon offering the land of any delinquent taxpayer constituting one tract, no person will bid for it the whole amount of taxes and all costs, the collector shall strike same off to the state in the same manner as provided for in case of sales for state and county taxes.

When any land shall be sold to the state for taxes due thereon and the same shall not be redeemed within the time provided by law, the same may be sold or contracted for sale by the land commissioner, in the manner provided for the sale and contract for sale of other tax forfeited lands.

Except as herein otherwise provided, the provisions of the law relative to the sale of delinquent land for taxes, the title thereto, and the handling and sale of lands sold to the state for taxes shall apply to all sales under this chapter.

When any drainage district shall have purchased lands at any tax sale under the terms of this chapter, the board of commissioners thereof, after the period of redemption has expired, may sell, lease, or rent the lands so purchased. The deed or lease shall be executed by the president and secretary of the board of commissioners under the seal of the district. But said lands shall not be sold for an amount less than the price paid therefor and all subsequently accrued state, county, drainage, and other taxes. However, the drainage commissioners with the consent of the bondholders may sell the lands of the drainage district for an amount less than the price paid therefor and all subsequently accrued state, county, drainage, and other taxes.

The drainage district shall pay all state and county and other taxes assessed against said land purchased by it at tax sales under the provisions of this chapter, and may pay the same out of any funds belonging to the district.

The chancery clerks of the counties in which are located drainage districts, or parts thereof, shall account to the commissioners of such drainage districts for money received in the redemption of lands sold for taxes belonging to such districts, in the same manner as for state and county taxes. Any lands sold for any drainage taxes may be redeemed in the same manner and within the same time as provided by law for the redemption of lands sold for state and county taxes upon the payment of all costs, five per centum damages on the amount of taxes for which the land was sold, and interest on all such taxes at the rate of one per centum per month or any fractional part thereof, from the date of such sale.

Lands purchased by the board of drainage commissioners of any drainage district at a tax sale and lands purchased by the board of drainage commissioners of any drainage district from the state shall be liable thereafter for state and county taxes levied and assessed against the same to the same extent as if owned by a natural person or a private corporation. And it shall be the duty of the tax assessor to assess said lands for taxes in the same manner as other lands are assessed; and if the taxes are not paid when due, such lands shall be sold by the tax collector for the delinquent taxes due and unpaid at the time and in the manner provided by law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-4-23.3 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 4 / Section 4-23.3
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-4-23.3
Status: in_force

Chunky Creek in Newton County from the confluence of Chunky Creek and Tallasher Creek, and the Chunky River in Newton, Lauderdale and Clarke Counties to the junction with the Chickasawhay River in Clarke County, which were designated as eligible for nomination to the state Scenic Streams Stewardship Program under Section 51-4-21.2 , are designated as state scenic streams and are included in the Mississippi Scenic Streams Stewardship Program.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-39-41 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 37 / Section 39-41
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-39-41
Status: in_force

This chapter shall not be construed to authorize a district to deny access to the storm water management system or any portion of that system to any person holding a valid water pollution control permit or coverage under a general permit from the Environmental Quality Permit Board.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-109 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 13 / Section 13-109
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-109
Status: in_force

Any eligible county may become a member of the district, subsequent to its creation, in the manner as the original counties became members and new counties shall have the same power and authority and be entitled to equal consideration of the district's board of directors, not inconsistent with the purposes of this article.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-151 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 27 / Section 29-151
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-151
Status: in_force

In the event of such consolidation as provided in Sections 51-29-145 through 51-29-157 , the court or chancellor in vacation immediately shall proceed to name said consolidated district, and to appoint to govern the same a board of commissioners to consist of five members, three of whom shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and who shall possess the same qualifications now required by law for drainage commissioners. Two of such commissioners shall be appointed for a term of two years, two for terms of four years, and one for a term of six years, and all shall serve until their successors are appointed. Upon the expiration of the initial term of any commissioner, his successor shall serve for a term of six years and until his successor is appointed. The commissioners so appointed shall take and subscribe the oath required by law, and enter into bond for the faithful performance of their duties in a penalty to be fixed by the court or chancellor, to be approved by the clerk of said court.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-7-15 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 1 / Section 7-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-7-15
Status: in_force

After appointment and organization proceedings as hereinbefore provided, the commissioners shall develop in conjunction with the United States Secretary of Agriculture, or with the head of such other federal agency as may be involved, plans for works of improvement within the scope of Section 51-7-1 , which are to be carried out within or without the area of said master water management district. Whatever federal financial or other assistance is furnished in connection with the planning or construction of the proposed improvements, such plans and specifications shall be detailed only to the extent required by the federal department or agency responsible for furnishing such assistance. In connection with the development of such plans, the said commissioners, with approval of the chancery court, may incur expenses for engineering work, legal services, costs of publication and other administrative expenses, and other necessary preliminary expenses, including acquisition of easements and rights-of-way. For the payment of any such expenses the district may, with the approval of the chancery court, borrow money at a rate of interest not exceeding that allowed in Section 75-17-105 , and issue negotiable notes or other evidences of indebtedness therefor, signed by the president and secretary of said board of commissioners, said notes or other evidences of indebtedness to be payable to the lender, or bearer, as said commissioners may elect. None of the said evidence of indebtedness so issued shall run for more than two (2) years, but they shall be subject to renewal for one (1) additional period up to two (2) years, and they shall be nontaxable. The commissioners may pledge all assessments on the land within the district made under provisions of this chapter for the payment of said evidences of indebtedness. Said obligations may be paid out of any general or special fund of the district, if organized, or out of the proceeds of the first assessments levied under this chapter. In the event said district is not organized after said indebtedness has been incurred, then the board of supervisors of the respective county or counties having territory or territories in such proposed district shall, on order of the chancery court, levy an acreage or an ad valorem tax against the lands embraced in said proposed district. If an ad valorem tax be levied, the board of supervisors may use for that purpose the assessments of the land according to the last assessment roll of the county in which said lands are situated; and in case the lands in the proposed district lie in more than one (1) county, then the chancery court shall apportion said indebtedness between the several counties, and the board of supervisors shall thereupon levy such apportioned tax upon the lands of their counties respectively, according to the ruling of the chancery court.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, bonds referred to hereinabove may be issued pursuant to the supplemental powers and authorizations conferred by the provisions of the Registered Bond Act, being Sections 31-21-1 through 31-21-7 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-15-103 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 13 / Section 15-103
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-15-103
Status: in_force

The Pat Harrison Waterway Commission may hereafter be organized in this state under the provisions of this article, in the manner hereafter provided for. This water management district shall be an agency of the state and a body politic and corporate, and may be composed and is composed of the following counties, to wit: Clarke, Covington, Forrest, George, Greene, Jackson, Jasper, Jones, Lamar, Lauderdale, Newton, Perry, Smith, Stone, and Wayne. In addition, a municipality located in a county that is not a member of the district may join the district as provided in this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-33-21 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 33 / Section 33-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-33-21
Status: in_force

Such certificates of indebtedness shall in no case be issued in a principal amount which, when added to any outstanding certificates of indebtedness issued hereunder, will exceed fifteen per centum (15%) of the total amount of benefits assessed and confirmed against the land and other property within any such district in connection with the original construction of the drainage system therein which is to be so cleaned out, restored, repaired, and rehabilitated, in whole or in part. Such certificates of indebtedness shall bear such date or dates, shall mature at such time or times not exceeding sixty (60) months from the date thereof, shall bear interest at such rate or rates not exceeding eight per centum (8%) per annum, payable semiannually, shall be of such denomination or denominations, shall be payable at such place or places within or without the State of Mississippi, and shall be sold in such amount or amounts and at such price or prices not less than their par value and accrued interest, all as shall be determined by resolution of such commissioners.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-4-21.2 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 4 / Section 4-21.2
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-4-21.2
Status: in_force

In accordance with Section 51-4-7 , Chunky Creek in Newton County from the confluence of Chunky Creek and Tallasher Creek, and the Chunky River in Newton, Lauderdale and Clarke Counties to the junction with the Chickasawhay River in Clarke County, are designated as eligible for nomination to the state Scenic Streams Stewardship Program.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-107 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 2 / Section 9-107
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-107
Status: in_force

All powers of the district shall be exercised by a board of directors, to be composed of the following:

(a) Each member of the Pearl River Industrial Commission whose county becomes a part of the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District shall be a member of the Board of Directors of the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District. Such directors shall serve on this board during their term of office on the Pearl River Industrial Commission. In addition, the board of supervisors of each county that becomes a part of the district shall appoint one (1) additional member, who shall serve for a term concurrent with the terms of the members of the board of supervisors. The members shall be appointed at the first meeting of the board of supervisors in January after the supervisors take office. The members appointed from Madison County and Rankin County shall be persons who reside on and are holders of residential leases from the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District that are located in Madison County and Rankin County, respectively, or who reside in established subdivisions in Madison County and Rankin County, respectively, in which some of the residential property of the subdivision is leased from the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District.

The members appointed from Madison County and Rankin County who are serving on July 1, 2012, shall continue to serve until January 1, 2013, after which date the Board of Supervisors of Madison County and the Board of Supervisors of Rankin County each shall appoint one (1) member who meets the residency requirements of this section. The persons appointed under the provisions of this paragraph shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term.

(b) The Mississippi Commission on Environmental Quality, the Mississippi Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, Forestry Commission and the State Board of Health of the State of Mississippi shall each appoint one (1) director from that department to serve on the Board of Directors of the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District to serve at the pleasure of the respective board appointing him. From and after January 1, 2013, each of the members appointed under this paragraph (b) shall be a person who resides on and is a holder of a residential lease from the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District.

(c) Each director shall take and subscribe to the oath of office required by Section 268 of the Constitution of the State of Mississippi before a chancery clerk, that he will faithfully discharge the duties of the office, which oath shall be filed with the clerk and by him preserved.

(d) Each director shall receive per diem compensation in the amount as provided in Section 25-3-69 for attending each meeting of the board and for each day spent in attending to the necessary business of the district and shall be reimbursed for actual expenses thus incurred upon express authorization of the board, including travel expenses, as provided in Section 25-3-41 .

(e) The board of directors shall annually elect from its number a president and a vice president of the district, and such other officers as in the judgment of the board are necessary. The president shall be the chief executive officer of the district and the presiding officer of the board, and shall have the same right to vote as any other director. The vice president shall perform all duties and exercise all powers conferred by this article upon the president when the president is absent or fails or declines to act, except the president's right to vote. The board shall also appoint a secretary and a treasurer who may or may not be members of the board, and it may combine those offices. The treasurer shall give bond in the sum of not less than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) as set by the board of directors and each director shall give bond in the sum of not less than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), and the premiums on those bonds shall be an expense of the district. The condition of each such bond shall be that the treasurer or director will faithfully perform all duties of office and account for all money which shall come into his custody as treasurer or director of the district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-8-65 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 1 / Section 8-65
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-8-65
Status: in_force

(1) From and after July 1, 1995, no joint water management district shall be created without the approval of the Commission on Environmental Quality. The commission may establish criteria for the approval of a request to create a joint water management district, but may not finally approve a request and grant joint water management district status until a water management plan for the proposed district has been approved by the commission. Any amendments to the district's water management plan must also be approved by the commission.

(2) After the granting of joint water management district status to a district by the commission, neither the department, the permit board nor any other agency in the State of Mississippi shall issue any permit, grant or loan for any water related facility or project that is not consistent with a district's water management plan.

(3) In its consideration of the consistency of a project, grant or loan with a district's water management plan, the department, permit board or other agency shall notify the affected water management district of the request for a permit, grant or loan and give the district a reasonable time, but not less than ten (10) days nor more than thirty (30) days, to respond to the request.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-15-5 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 4 / Section 15-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-15-5
Status: in_force

The commission shall be financed in all of its activities from funds made available by each of the associated counties, and each such county is authorized and empowered to contribute any amount or amounts which the board of supervisors thereof shall deem advisable, acting in their sole discretion, to be paid from the general county fund of the respective counties.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-41-9 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 33 / Section 41-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-41-9
Status: in_force

(1) Whenever a qualified corporation desires to convert into and become reconstituted and reincorporated as a water authority under this chapter, the qualified corporation shall present to and file with the Secretary of State:

(a) Its resolution duly adopted by the board of directors of the qualified corporation that evidences the desire of the qualified corporation to convert into and become reconstituted and reincorporated as a water authority and that also certifies that the qualified corporation:

(i) Was initially formed as a not-for-profit corporation or association; and

(ii) Desires to operate as a public body authorized under the laws of Mississippi as a result of its conversion and reconstitution as a water authority under this chapter;

(b) Its application for reconstitution and certificate of incorporation, which shall state and include the following information:

(i) The name of the water authority, which shall be “The __________ Public Water Authority of the State of Mississippi,” or some other name of similar import, it being understood that the water authority may adopt a fictitious operational name upon written request to and approval by the Secretary of State;

(ii) The location of the water authority's principal office, and the number of directors of the water authority, which shall be subject to change and modification as provided in the water authority's bylaws;

(iii) The names and addresses of the initial board of directors of the water authority;

(iv) The name and address of the agent for service of process of the water authority; and

(v) Any other matters that the initial board of directors of the water authority may deem necessary and appropriate;

(c) A copy of the water authority's bylaws along with any other information that the initial board of directors of the water authority may deem necessary and appropriate;

(d) A statement and certification from the Secretary of State that the proposed name of the water authority is not identical with that of any other water authority in the state, or so nearly similar thereto as to lead to confusion and uncertainty; and

(e) A reasonable filing and review fee that the Secretary of State may designate and determine from time to time, which shall not be in excess of the filing fee charged in connection with the receipt and filing of a corporation's articles of incorporation.

(2) Two (2) or more qualified corporations may jointly convert into and become reconstituted and reincorporated as one (1) water authority under the same procedure as specified for one (1) qualified corporation under this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-149 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 3 / Section 13-149
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-149
Status: in_force

The accomplishment of the purposes stated in this article being for the benefit of the people of this state and for the improvement of their properties and industries, the district in carrying out the purposes of this article will be performing an essential public function and shall not be required to pay any tax or assessment on the projects and related facilities or any part thereof; and the interest on the bonds issued hereunder shall at all times be free from taxation within this state. The state hereby covenants with the holders of any bonds to be issued hereunder that the Tombigbee River Valley Water Management District shall not be required to pay any taxes or assessments imposed by the state or any of its political subdivisions or taxing districts.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-4-7 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 2 / Section 4-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-4-7
Status: in_force

(1) There is hereby created the State Scenic Streams Stewardship Program. The department shall coordinate the program. The department shall establish and publish minimum criteria for assessing a stream's eligibility for the State Scenic Streams Stewardship Program. To qualify as eligible, the stream must possess unique or outstanding scenic, recreational, geological, botanical, fish, wildlife, historic or cultural values. The level of pollution of a stream's waters must be considered in determining eligibility for qualification as a scenic stream. A stream with relatively polluted waters may qualify as eligible as a scenic stream if other values are considered outstanding.

(2)(a) The department shall inventory and evaluate Mississippi streams and identify the streams or stream segments which possess unique or outstanding scenic, recreational, geological, botanical, fish, wildlife, historic or cultural values based on the criteria established under this section.

(b) Any Mississippi organization, resident, state agency or local government may request the department to evaluate a stream.

(3) If the department determines that a stream meets the eligibility criteria, the department may recommend to the Legislature that a stream or stream segment be listed as eligible for nomination to the State Scenic Streams Stewardship Program. In order for a stream to be listed as eligible for nomination to the State Scenic Streams Stewardship Program, the recommendation must be filed as a bill and must be adopted by the Legislature.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-49 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 17 / Section 29-49
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-49
Status: in_force

It shall thereupon be the duty of the clerk of the board of supervisors to extend the amount of the said levy on the original or copy of the assessment roll of the district on file in his office, and to certify a copy of the levy to the tax collector of his county, who shall extend the amount of the levy on the copy of said assessment in his office.

Any owner of real property within the district may, by mandamus, compel the compliance by the board of supervisors with the terms of Section 51-29-47 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-31-123 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 31 / Section 31-123
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-31-123
Status: in_force

At the time so appointed by the clerk, the court or chancellor in vacation shall hear the said matter and the objections, if any, of any person or firm interested. If the court or chancellor in vacation shall find that said subdrainage district will conduce to the public benefit and that the same should be organized, the court or chancellor in vacation will enter an order to that effect. Nothing in this section shall be construed so as to prohibit the formation and organization of a drainage district wholly or partly within a drainage district already organized. A district independent of the district already organized may be organized where a part or all of the lands are in the district already organized, provided that the petition of the landowners is presented as heretofore specified and asks that said court or chancellor in vacation constitute them a drainage district under the terms of Sections 51-31-119 through 51-31-127 , and that the notice set out in Section 51-31-121 has been given. Thereafter proceedings shall be had substantially in conformity with this chapter for the creation of an original drainage district hereunder. When such a subdrainage district is organized as herein provided, it shall have all the rights, privileges and powers of any other district and shall have full power to make and levy assessments, issue bonds independent of any other district, and do all other things now provided by law for the formation and organization of a drainage district under this chapter. When any such district is organized, the several parcels of land thereof that are included within the corporate limits of the original drainage district shall still be liable to the district already organized for all assessments of benefits theretofore made or to an assessment of benefits thereafter levied, if any, or received by them; and in like manner shall receive credit for any work done which is a benefit to the district already organized.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-33-207 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 33 / Section 33-207
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-33-207
Status: in_force

The said commissioners shall have full power and authority to do and perform all acts and things necessary and desirable in carrying out the purposes of this article and shall have all powers set forth in said Sections 371 to 391, Code of 1906.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-31-85 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 31 / Section 31-85
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-31-85
Status: in_force

In laying out such proposed work and drains and ditches, the commissioners shall have the right to take and use any ditches heretofore constructed in any part of said district by any landowner owning the same. If any such ditches existing prior to the organization of such district shall be of any value to the said district, the said commissioners shall have the power to allow the said landowner reasonable compensation for the value thereof, which shall be put down on the assessment roll as a credit for ditches already constructed.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-4-21.9 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 2 / Section 4-21.9
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-4-21.9
Status: in_force

In accordance with Section 51-4-7 , the Noxubee River in Noxubee County from the Oktibbeha County Line to the Mississippi-Alabama line is designated as eligible for nomination to the State Scenic Streams Stewardship Program.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-33-19 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 33 / Section 33-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-33-19
Status: in_force

The commissioners of any drainage district organized and existing under any law of this state are hereby authorized and empowered to issue and sell the negotiable certificate of indebtedness of such district as herein provided, for the purpose of providing funds with which to clean out, restore, repair, and rehabilitate the whole or any part of the drainage system of such district; or for the purpose of cooperating with the United States or any agency thereof in such works. No such certificates of indebtedness shall be so issued for the purpose of constructing any new ditches or new works of improvement in any such district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-15-101 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 9 / Section 15-101
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-15-101
Status: in_force

It is hereby declared, as a matter of legislative determination, that the waterways and surface waters of the state are among its basic resources, that the overflow and surface waters of the state have not heretofore been conserved to realize their full beneficial use, that the utilization, development, conservation, and regulation of such waters are necessary to insure an adequate flood control program, sanitary water supply at all times, to promote the balanced economic development of the state, and to aid in conservation and development of state forests, irrigation of lands needing irrigation, and pollution abatement. It is further determined and declared that the preservation, conservation, storage, and regulation of the waters of the Pat Harrison Waterway District overflow waters for domestic, municipal, commercial, industrial, agricultural, and manufacturing purposes, for recreational uses, for flood control, timber development, irrigation, and pollution abatement are, as a matter of public policy, for the general welfare of the entire people of the state.

The creation of the Pat Harrison Waterway District is determined to be necessary and essential to the accomplishment of the aforesaid purposes, and this article operates on a subject in which the state at large is interested. All the terms and provisions of this article are to be liberally construed to effectuate the purposes herein set forth, this being a remedial law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-31-117 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 31 / Section 31-117
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-31-117
Status: in_force

All proceedings under this chapter are declared to be proceedings in rem. The notices for the organization of a drainage district hereunder and all subsequent notices herein provided for shall be sufficient as notices for the purposes stated, the organization of a district, and the issuance of district bonds as herein provided. The failure of the clerk to send a copy of any notice by registered mail to any nonresident, whose residence is known or unknown, shall not invalidate the proceedings for the organization of any drainage district hereunder or of bonds of the district issued under same; but the court or chancellor in vacation may adjourn the hearing of any case in order to cause other notice to be made, if in his discretion he thinks proper, in order to comply with the requirements of this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-67 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 27 / Section 29-67
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-67
Status: in_force

Said board of commissioners may also issue to the contractor or other persons who do the work, or any part thereof, negotiable evidences of debt of the district, bearing interest at a rate not to exceed six per cent per annum, secured in like manner as the bonds above provided for.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-31-81 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 27 / Section 31-81
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-31-81
Status: in_force

At the end of the fiscal year after the organization of said drainage district and annually thereafter, the said commissioners shall make a report showing the amount of money levied for main district purposes, the amount of orders issued, the purposes for which issued, to whom payable, the amount of money on hand, and the amounts levied and expended for each and every subdistrict or lateral drain laid out and established by them. If at any time it shall appear that there is not sufficient funds to pay for any work done or contemplated, the commissioners may make a levy for the amount required to finish paying for the work already done or to perform the contemplated work; if any landowner shall feel aggrieved at any such assessments, he may have the right to appear in said court and file his objections to such additional levies for repairs and improvements, and the court shall hear and determine the same as justice and equity shall require.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-7-25 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 1 / Section 7-25
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-7-25
Status: in_force

In addition to other powers provided in this chapter, the commissioners shall have power to adopt a seal of the district, which shall be judicially noticed; to fix the domicile of the master water management district; to make and execute contracts and other instruments necessary or convenient to the exercise of their powers; to adopt such rules and regulations as may be necessary for carrying out the purposes of the chapter and the purposes of the district, if not inconsistent with the laws and constitution of this state; to sue and be sued in the name of the district; to employ such engineers, legal counsel, or other persons as may be necessary in accomplishing the work of the district; to obtain options upon and to acquire by purchase, exchange, lease, gift, grant, bequest, devise, or otherwise, or by the exercise of the power of eminent domain in the manner provided by the statutes of this state on eminent domain, any property, real or personal, or rights or interests therein reasonably necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter; to maintain, administer, and improve any property acquired, to receive income from such properties, and to expend such income in carrying out the purposes and provisions of this chapter; to conduct surveys, investigations, and research necessary in carrying out the purposes of the chapter; to sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of any property or interests therein in furtherance of the purposes and provisions of this chapter; to construct, operate, and maintain works of improvement; to perform responsibilities in operating and maintaining all pre-existing works of improvement which, with the approval of the chancery court and the consent of the master water management district, may be turned over to such district; to accept, with approval of the chancery court, gifts and conveyances of land, easements, or rights of way owned by an existing drainage or water management district that are to be used by the master water management district for the purposes of the master water management district, on condition that the master water management district assume the responsibility for maintaining the works of improvement that are constructed on such lands, easements, or rights of way; to accept any moneys or services for carrying out the purposes of the district; to cooperate or enter into agreements with any agency, governmental or otherwise, or any person, firm, or corporation in carrying out the purposes of this chapter; and to do any and all things which are not inconsistent with the laws or constitution of this state in carrying out the purposes for which such districts were created in connection with projects and works of improvement carried out under Public Law 566, 83rd Congress, as amended or under other laws of the United States.