Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 51 - WATERS, WATER RESOURCES, WATER DISTRICTS, DRAINAGE, AND FLOOD CONTROL (§§ 51-1-1 — 51-41-33) › Chapter 33 - PROVISIONS COMMON TO DRAINAGE DISTRICTS AND SWAMP LAND DISTRICTS (§§ 51-33-1 — 51-33-207) › Article 1 - PROVISIONS COMMON TO DRAINAGE DISTRICTS (§§ 51-33-1 — 51-33-127) › Section 51-33-3 - Additional powers for conservation

To the end that soil and water conservation measures may be improved, flood control and drainage programs strengthened, and the land and water economy of the state stabilized, the following additional powers are conferred upon presently existing drainage districts in the State of Mississippi, including districts with county commissioners as established under Sections
51-31-1
through
51-31-143
, and districts established under Sections
51-29-1
through
51-29-165
:
(a)
To take necessary measures for prevention of erosion, floodwater, and sediment damage; to further the conservation, development, utilization, and disposal of water; and to adopt necessary regulations, programs, and procedures to accomplish these ends, subject to approval of the chancery court or chancellor and on proper notice to the interested parties as such notice is provided for in the general statutes pertaining to drainage districts.
(b)
To cooperate and enter into agreements with and to receive financial and other assistance from state agencies and political subdivisions of the state, other organizations created under state laws, and the government of the United States and agencies thereof to carry out the purposes of Sections
51-33-1
through
51-33-9
; to enter into agreements with and to accept contributions from private landowners for the purposes of these sections.
(c)
To acquire lands, easements, and rights-of-way in accordance with the provisions of Section
29-1-1
for sites for structures and for the flowage or impoundment of waters, acquisitions for these purposes to be accomplished in the same manner and through the same powers and procedures as under the statutes presently pertaining to drainage districts.
(d)
To construct, operate, and maintain works of improvement, including structures and related measures, as are needed to carry out their broadened purposes as set forth herein, subject to approval of the chancery court or chancellor and on proper notice to interested parties as set forth in the drainage district statutes.
(e)
To enlarge their boundaries in accordance with the provisions of Section
29-1-1
to permit the construction of additional needed works of improvement, or to construct additional needed works of improvement outside their boundaries, subject to approval of the chancery court and on proper notice to interested parties in the manner set forth in the drainage district statutes.
(f)
To make additional assessments and issue bonds for carrying out the purposes of Sections
51-33-1
through
51-33-9
and for constructing, maintaining, and operating any structures or improvements established as provided herein, additional assessments or bond issues to be made in the same manner and through the same procedures as under the statutes presently pertaining to drainage districts, subject to approval of the court or chancellor in the same manner, and on the same notice to the interested parties as in the first instance of approving assessments, bond issues, and benefits; and appeal shall lie from decree as in the first instance, and they shall be final only as decrees are final in the first instance.
Codes, 1942, § 4606.5; Laws, 1955, Ex. ch. 92, §§ 1-5; Laws, 1958, ch. 456, § 3; Laws, 1960, ch. 176; Laws, 1966, ch. 228, § 1; Laws, 1993, ch. 615, § 13, eff. 7/1/1993.