THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS REFERRED YOUR LETTER REGARDING LOCAL COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT TO ME FOR A RESPONSE. AS UNDERSTAND IT, YOU HAVE ASKED THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS: (1) MAY A LOCAL COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT DISTRIBUTE FUNDS TO A GROUP SUCH AS A LOCAL SCHOOL CHAPTER OF THE FUTURE FARMERS OF AMERICA?; (2) MAY DIRECTORS OF A LOCAL COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT BOARD ACCEPT REIMBURSEMENT FOR PER DIEM AND MILEAGE EXPENSES FOR ATTENDING BOARD MEETINGS?; AND (3) MAY LOCAL COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICTS PAY FEES AND EXPENSES INCURRED BY CONSERVATION BOARD DIRECTORS IN THE COURSE OF PERFORMING THEIR DUTIES? YOU SHOULD UNDERSTAND THAT WHAT FOLLOWS IS THE OPINION OF THE UNDERSIGNED ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL AND IS NOT AN OFFICIAL OPINION OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.
YOUR QUESTIONS RAISE ISSUES INVOLVING THE CONSERVATION DISTRICT ACT, 82 O.S. 1501-101 (1981), ET SEQ. THAT ACT BEGINS WITH THIS GENERAL DECLARATION OF POLICY:
". . . . IT IS HEREBY DECLARED TO BE THE POLICY OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA TO PROVIDE FOR THE CONSERVATION OF THE RENEWABLE NATURAL RESOURCES OF THIS STATE, AND FOR THE CONTROL AND PREVENTION OF SOIL EROSION, AND FOR THE PREVENTION OF FLOODWATER AND SEDIMENT DAMAGES, AND FOR FURTHERING THE CONSERVATION, DEVELOPMENT, UTILIZATION AND DISPOSAL OF WATER, AND THEREBY TO PRESERVE AND DEVELOP NATURAL RESOURCES, CONTROL FLOODS, CONSERVE AND DEVELOP WATER RESOURCES OR WATER QUALITY, PREVENT IMPAIRMENT OF DAMS AND RESERVOIRS, PRESERVE WILDLIFE, PRESERVE NATURAL BEAUTY, PROMOTE RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, PROTECT THE TAX BASE, PROTECT PUBLIC LANDS AND PROTECT AND PROMOTE THE HEALTH, SAFETY AND GENERAL WELFARE OF THE PEOPLE OF THIS STATE. IT IS FURTHER THE POLICY OF THE LEGISLATURE TO AUTHORIZE CONSERVATION DISTRICT ESTABLISHED UNDER THIS ACT TO SERVE AS THE PRIMARY LOCAL UNIT OF GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONSERVATION OF THE RENEWABLE NATURAL RESOURCE OF THIS STATE, AND COMPETENT TO ADMINISTER, IN CLOSE COOPERATION WITH LANDOWNERS ND OCCUPIERS, WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL UNITS, ND WITH AGENCIES OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES, PROTECTS, PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES SUITABLE FOR EFFECTUATING THE POLICY OF THIS ACT."
THE ACT PROCEEDS TO ESTABLISH THE OKLAHOMA CONSERVATION COMMISSION, AS WELL AS LOCAL CONSERVATION DISTRICTS. UNDER 82 O.S. 1501-501, LOCAL CONSERVATION DISTRICTS ARE CONSIDERED GOVERNMENTAL SUBDIVISIONS OF THE STATE. 82 O.S. 1501-502 OF THE ACT SETS FORTH A NUMBER OF SPECIFIC POWERS AND DUTIES THAT THESE LOCAL DISTRICTS MAY EXERCISE, INCLUDING: THE POWER TO MAKE SURVEYS AND INVESTIGATIONS PERTAINING TO THE CONSERVATION OF RENEWABLE NATURAL RESOURCES, THE POWER TO CONDUCT OPERATIONS FOR THE CONSERVATION OF THESE RESOURCES, AND THE POWER TO CARRY OUT PREVENTIVE AND CONTROL MEASURES IN FURTHERANCE OF RESOURCE CONSERVATION. SECTION 1501502(5) SPECIFICALLY AUTHORIZES LOCAL CONSERVATION DISTRICTS TO UNDERTAKE THE FOLLOWING:
". . . TO OBTAIN OPTIONS UPON AND TO ACQUIRE, BY PURCHASE, EXCHANGE, LEASE, GIFT, GRANT, BEQUEST, DEVISE OR OTHERWISE, ANY PROPERTY, REAL OR PERSONAL, OR RIGHTS OR INTERESTS THEREIN; TO MAINTAIN, ADMINISTER AND IMPROVE ANY PROPERTIES ACQUIRED; TO RECEIVE INCOME FROM SUCH PROPERTIES AND TO EXPEND SUCH INCOME IN CARRYING OUT THE PURPOSES AND PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT; AND TO SELL, LEASE OR OTHERWISE