(1)The board shall have the following powers and duties to:
(1)(a) authorize studies, investigations, and plans for the full development, use, and promotion of the water and power resources of the state, including preliminary surveys, stream gauging, examinations, tests, and other estimates either separately or in consultation with federal, state and other agencies;
(1)(b) enter into contracts subject to the provisions of this chapter for the construction or purchase of a project that in the opinion of the board will conserve and use for the best advantage of the people of this state the water and power resources of the state, including projects beyond the boundaries of the state of Utah located on interstate waters when the benefit of such projects accrues to the citizens of the state;
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(1) The board shall have the following powers and duties to:
(1)(a) authorize studies, investigations, and plans for the full development, use, and promotion of the water and power resources of the state, including preliminary surveys, stream gauging, examinations, tests, and other estimates either separately or in consultation with federal, state and other agencies;
(1)(b) enter into contracts subject to the provisions of this chapter for the construction or purchase of a project that in the opinion of the board will conserve and use for the best advantage of the people of this state the water and power resources of the state, including projects beyond the boundaries of the state of Utah located on interstate waters when the benefit of such projects accrues to the citizens of the state;
(1)(c) sue and be sued in accordance with applicable law;
(1)(d) enter into a contract that the Utah water agent, appointed under Section 73-10g-702, recommends for a water augmentation project under Section 73-10g-703;
(1)(e) cooperate with the Utah water agent, appointed under Section 73-10g-702, in matters affecting interstate compact negotiations and the administration of the compacts affecting the waters of interstate rivers, lakes and other sources of supply, with the exception of:
(1)(e)(i) the waters of the Colorado River system that are governed by Title 63M, Chapter 14, Colorado River Authority of Utah Act; or
(1)(e)(ii) state representation under:
(1)(e)(ii)(A) the Bear River Compact as provided in Section 73-16-4; or
(1)(e)(ii)(B) the Columbia Interstate Compact as provided in Section 73-19-9;
(1)(f) contract with federal and other agencies and with the National Water Resources Association and to make studies, investigations and recommendations and do all other things on behalf of the state for any purpose that relates to the development, conservation, protection and control of the water and power resources of the state;
(1)(g) consult and advise with the Utah Water Users' Association and other organized water users' associations in the state;
(1)(h) consider and make recommendations on behalf of the state of reclamation projects or other water development projects for construction by any agency of the state or United States and in so doing recommend the order in which projects shall be undertaken; or
(1)(i) review, approve, and revoke an application to create a water bank under Chapter 31, Water Banking Act, collect an annual report, maintain the water banking website, and conduct any other function related to a water bank as described in Chapter 31, Water Banking Act.
(2) Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to impair or otherwise interfere with the authority of the state engineer granted by this title, except as specifically otherwise provided in this section.