(b) In addition to the powers conferred upon the ports of Indiana by other provisions of this article, the ports of Indiana, in order to promote the agricultural, industrial, and commercial development of the state or to provide for the general welfare, and in order to connect any port under its jurisdiction with any other waterway or as part of a plan to ultimately connect such port with any other waterway, shall have the power and is hereby authorized, in cooperation with the federal government or otherwise, to construct a new canal or canals or to improve any canal, river, or other waterway, or both, including but not limited to dredging and all other work required in the design and construction of shipping channels, canals, and turning basins in a manner to accommodate water-borne transportation and the construction of wharves, docks, piers, warehouses, and other facilities for the unloading of barges and other boats. In exercising the powers hereby granted, the ports of Indiana shall have only such powers granted to it by this article in connection with a port project as may relate to the construction of a new canal or canals or the improvement of any canal, river, or other waterway, or both, and the term “port project”, as used in this article, shall be deemed to include the construction of a new canal or canals or the improvement of any canal, river, or other waterway, or both, including but not limited to dredging and all other work required in the design and construction of wharves, docks, piers, warehouses, and other facilities for the unloading of barges and other boats. However, the ports of Indiana shall make reimbursement for any actual damage to any public or private facilities, including but not limited to breakwaters, water intakes, wharfs, piers, boat docks, warehouses, and pipeline equipment resulting from such construction and other activities. Nothing in this section shall authorize the ports of Indiana to take, condemn, or disturb any property right or interest in property, existing on March 10, 1967, including permits and authorities to fill and reclaim submerged lands, or any facilities constituting all or part of any operating property or any private or public port.

Formerly: Acts 1967, c.210, s.1. As amended by P.L.66-1984, SEC.14; P.L.98-2008, SEC.39.