The Jackson Parish Watershed District shall constitute a body corporate in law with all the powers, rights, privileges and immunities of a public corporation, with power to sue and be sued, to incur debt and contract obligations in accordance with law, have a corporate seal and do and perform all acts in its corporate capacity and in its corporate name which are necessary and proper for carrying out the purposes and objects for which it is created.  It shall have the power of eminent domain and may expropriate property for all its purposes and objectives.  Through its governing authority, the district may conserve the fresh water supply within its boundaries for the benefit of the inhabitants and property owners within said district and state, to provide water for commercial, municipal and any other uses, both within and without the district.  It may, acting through its own governing authority or through the department of public works, construct, lease, maintain, acquire, enlarge and operate any machinery or do any other thing necessary for the use and purpose of the district.  It may own in full ownership all servitudes, rights of way, flowage rights and may acquire same by donation, prescription, purchase, expropriation, or otherwise.  It shall have the authority to cooperate and contract with the government of the United States or any department or agency thereof and to accept gifts, grants and donations of property and money therefrom.  It shall have the authority to cooperate with the State of Louisiana or any political subdivision, department, agency or corporation of said state, for the construction, operation and maintenance of such facilities designed to accomplish the purposes for which the district is created on any basis, including the matching of funds and by participating in projects authorized by the federal or state law as it shall see fit.  

Added by Acts 1968, No. 589, §1.  Amended by Acts 1972, No. 316, §2.