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350 LOUISIANA the waters of the lakes, streams, and other bodies of water in the district; to prevent pollution and obstructions in streams; and, in general, to "prevent the escape of such waters until employed to maximum public advantage and in insuring a fair and just distribu- tion of all of said waters for all of the people of the area." (5) The Bayou D'Arbonne Lake Watershed District is a political subdivision and budgetary unit of the State, and was established to conserve soil and water and to develop the natural resources and wealth of the district for sanitary, agricultural, and recreational pur- poses ; and was given power to perform all necessary acts to provide water for commercial, municipal, and any other uses, both within and outside of the district, and to build such dams and other works as may be necessary to carry out these purposes.15 (6) The Sabine River Authority is an agency of the State created to conserve, store, control, preserve, utilize, and distribute the waters of the rivers and streams of the Sabine watershed; to drain and re- claim swamp and overflow lands in the district, with the view of controlling floods and causing cultivation of such lands; and to con- trol and employ the waters of the Sabine River and its tributaries (a) to provide for the preservation of the equitable rights of the people in the beneficial use of the waters of the Sabine River and its tributaries, and (b) to obtain maximum service from the waters of the river system for irrigation of Louisiana lands, development of drainage systems, development of commercial and industrial enter- prises, and development of hydroelectric power.16 (7) Recreation and water conservation districts may be established by statute as political subdivisions of the State for purposes of de- veloping the wealth and natural resources of the area through con- servation of soil and water for agricultural, recreational, commercial, industrial, and sanitary purposes; and are authorized to supply fresh water for the benefit of the persons within the district boundaries, and, if it is in the district's best interest, to sell water for irrigation, municipal, and industrial uses both within and outside the district.17 (8) Police juries may, among other things, regulate causeways, dikes, dams, and levees, and the clearing of the banks of rivers and natural drains within their respective parishes for the purpose of enhancing the passage of boats and other watercrafts; may build dams to prevent salt water encroachment into fresh water streams; and may expropriate property to facilitate the construction and operation of canals.18 (9) Waterworks districts are created by police juries within their respective parishes, and, when created, may do what is reasonably necessary to establish and operate waterworks systems, including acquiring property by expropriation and cooperating with other such districts within their respective parishes, or with private individuals, associations, corporations, or municipalities. It should be noted that police juries may alter or abolish waterworks districts, but only after notice of intent to do so and public hearing, and without affecting any existing contracts or obligations of the districts.19 15 Sec. 38.2552-59. 18 Sec. 38.2322-25. 17 Typical of these districts Is Cypress-Black Bayou Recreation and Water Conservation District. See sees. 3S :2603 and 38 :2608. 18 Sees. 33.1236-37. 10 Sees. 33 3811-35. |
