A soil and water conservation district organized under the provisions of this chapter shall constitute a governmental subdivision of this state, and a public body corporate and politic, exercising public powers, and such district and the supervisors thereof shall have the following powers, in addition to others granted in other sections of this chapter:
(1)
To conduct surveys, studies, and research relating to soil and water resources and to publish and disseminate the results of such surveys, studies, research, and related information;
(2)
To conduct agricultural best management practices demonstration projects and projects for the conservation, protection, and restoration of soil and water resources:
(a)
Within the district’s boundaries;
(b)
Within another district’s boundaries, subject to the other district’s approval;
(c)
In areas not contained within any district’s boundaries on lands owned or controlled by this state or any of its agencies, with the cooperation of the agency administering and having jurisdiction thereof; or
(d)
On any other lands within the district’s boundaries, within another district’s boundaries subject to the other district’s approval, or not contained within any district’s boundaries upon obtaining the consent of the owner or occupier of the lands or the necessary rights or interests in such lands;
(3)
To cooperate, or enter into agreements with, any special district, municipality, county, water management district, state or federal agency, governmental or otherwise, or owner or occupier of lands within the district’s boundaries, within another district’s boundaries subject to the other district’s approval, or not contained within any district’s boundaries in furtherance of the purposes and provisions of this chapter;
(4)
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 chapter; and to sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of any of its property or interests therein in furtherance of the purposes and provisions of this chapter;
(5)
To make available, on such terms as it shall prescribe, to any owner or occupier of lands within the district’s boundaries, within another district’s boundaries subject to the other district’s approval, or not contained within any district’s boundaries agricultural and engineering machinery and equipment, and such other material or equipment, that will assist such landowners and occupiers to carry on operations upon their lands for the conservation and protection of soil and water resources;
(6)
To construct, improve, operate, and maintain such structures as may be necessary or convenient for the performance of any of the operations authorized in this chapter;
(7)
To provide, or assist in providing, training and education programs that further the purposes and provisions of this chapter;
(8)
To sue and be sued in the name of the district; to have a seal, which seal shall be judicially noticed; to have perpetual succession unless terminated as provided in this chapter; to make and execute contracts and other instruments necessary or convenient to the exercise of its powers; upon a majority vote of the supervisors of the district, to borrow money and to execute promissory notes and other evidences of indebtedness in connection therewith, and to pledge, mortgage, and assign the income of the district and its personal property as security therefor, the notes and other evidences of indebtedness to be general obligations only of the district and in no event to constitute an indebtedness for which the faith and credit of the state or any of its revenues are pledged;
(9)
To use, in coordination with the applicable county or counties, the services of the county agricultural agents and the facilities of their offices, if practicable and feasible. The supervisors may also employ additional permanent and temporary staff, as needed, and determine their qualifications, duties, and compensation. The supervisors may delegate to the chair, to one or more supervisors, or to employees such powers and duties as they may deem proper, consistent with the provisions of this chapter. The supervisors shall furnish to the department, upon request, copies of rules, orders, contracts, forms, and other documents that the district has adopted or used, and any other information concerning the district’s activities, that the department may require in the performance of its duties under this chapter;
(10)
To adopt rules to implement the provisions of this chapter; and
(11)
To request that the Governor remove a supervisor for neglect of duty or malfeasance in office by adoption of a resolution at a public meeting. If the district believes there is a need for a review of the request, the district may request that the council, by resolution, review its request to the Governor and provide the Governor with a recommendation.
Any provision with respect to the acquisition, operation, or disposition of property by public bodies of this state does not apply to a district organized under this chapter unless specifically so stated by the Legislature. The property and property rights of every kind and nature acquired by any district organized under the provisions of this chapter are exempt from state, county, and other taxation.
