§ 61-07-03 — Powers and duties of board of directors

North Dakota § 61-07-03

• Jurisdiction: North Dakota
• Title 61: Waters
• Ch. 61-07: Powers of Irrigation Districts

Text

The board of directors of an irrigation district shall:
1. Manage and conduct the business affairs of the district.
2. Make and execute all necessary contracts.
3. Employ such officers, agents, and employees as may be necessary to conduct
efficiently the business of the district and to fix their compensation.
4. Adopt a seal for the district. The seal shall be kept in the custody of the secretary.
5. Establish bylaws and rules for distribution to and for the information of electors of the
district and water users, and fix charges or rentals to be paid by water users. The
bylaws and rules shall be printed in convenient form.
6. Enter upon any land within the district to make surveys and to locate the main lines
and the necessary branches for any canals, pipelines, or other conveyance systems,
and maintain and keep in good repair the irrigation works within the district. Its agents
and employees shall have the same right.
7. Acquire by purchase, condemnation in accordance with chapter 32-15, or otherwise:
a. Rights of way for ditches, canals, pipelines, and other conveyance systems and
sites for dams and reservoirs, wells and well fields, and other works for the
appropriation of ground and surface water, and for pumping plants.
b. All lands, easements, and any and all property necessary for the construction,
use, maintenance, repair, and improvement of dams, reservoirs, wells and well
fields, and other works for the appropriation of ground and surface water, and
canals, pipelines, and other conveyance systems.
c. Electric powerlines for the conveyance of electric power to operate pumping
plants and all necessary appurtenances thereto.

d. Water rights, but the board shall be required to offer an alternative water supply of
equal quantity and comparable quality, either through the district works or
otherwise, to the holder of any water rights which have been condemned.
8. Subject to the limitations contained in this chapter and chapter 32-15, acquire by
purchase, condemnation, or otherwise, any existing irrigation works for the use of the
district.
9. Submit, whenever the board shall deem it advisable, to the electors of the district, at
any regular or special election, any question, proposition, or proposal relative to the
affairs of the district.
10. Accept, on behalf of the district, appointment of the district as fiscal agent of the United
States, or of any department or agency thereof, or authorization by the United States,
or of any department or agency thereof, to make collections of money for and on
behalf of the United States in connection with any federal reclamation or irrigation
project. The board shall have full power to do any and all things required by the rules
established by any such department or agency of the federal government relative to
such project.
11. Subject to the limitations provided in this title, determine a plan or method for raising
funds to finance the cost of constructing irrigation works within the district or to provide
funds for the purchase of such irrigation works. The plan may provide for the issuance
of bonds, or the issuance of district improvement warrants, or the payment of such
construction costs, or purchase price, by creating a fund obtained from water rentals or
charges to water users, or for a combination of such methods for raising funds.
12. Exercise all rights, powers, and authority, express or implied, that may be necessary to
do and perform and carry out all of the express purposes of this chapter and of all
purposes reasonably implied as incidental thereto.
13. Enter into contracts and leases as the board determines appropriate with the Garrison
Diversion Conservancy District; the water commission of North Dakota; or with the
United States of America, its instrumentalities, departments, or agencies, for the
purpose of financing the construction of any irrigation works authorized by law, and in
such contracts and leases may authorize the Garrison Diversion Conservancy District;
the commission; or the United States, its instrumentalities, departments, or agencies,
as the case may be, to supervise and approve the construction, maintenance, and
operation of such irrigation works, or any part or portion thereof, until such times as
any money expended, advanced, or loaned by the commission or by the United
States, its instrumentalities, departments, or agencies, and agreed to be repaid thereto
by said board, shall have been repaid fully. The board may accept cooperation from
the Garrison Diversion Conservancy District; the commission; or from the United
States, its instrumentalities, departments, and agencies, in the construction,
maintenance, and operation, and in financing the construction of any work authorized
by the board. The board shall have full power to do any and all things necessary to
avail itself of such aid, assistance, and cooperation under existing or future state laws
or federal legislation enacted by the Congress of the United States.
14. Acquire real property, buildings, improvements, and equipment used or useful in
connection with storing, warehousing, distributing, or selling agricultural products,
which may be located within or outside the district.