§ 46. Powers of district and supervisors

(1) to provide for, encourage, and conduct surveys, investigations, and research relating to the conservation and development of soil, water, and related resources, the prevention and control of erosion, the prevention of floodwater and sediment damages, and the conservation, development, utilization, and disposal of water, and the preventive and control measures and works of improvement needed, and to publish and disseminate information concerning such measures and works of improvements;

(2) to provide for, encourage, and conduct demonstrations relative to the control and prevention of erosion, and the conservation of soil and water resources, and to carry out preventive and control measures and works of improvement within the district including engineering operations, methods of cultivation, the growing of vegetation, changes in the use of land, and measures and works of improvement for the purposes mentioned in paragraph (1) of this section, on publicly owned lands within the district with the consent or cooperation of the agency having jurisdiction thereof, and on other lands in the district with the consent of the occupier of such lands;

(3) to cooperate or enter into agreements with, and to furnish financial or other aid, including labor, machinery, equipment, fertilizer, seeds and other material to, any agency or any occupier of lands, for carrying on erosion control and prevention operations, or measures or works of improvement for any of the purposes mentioned in paragraphs (1) and (2) of this section, subject to such conditions as the supervisors may deem necessary;

(4) to acquire property, real or personal, or rights or interests therein; to maintain, administer, and improve such property, receive income from it, and expend such income in carrying out the purposes of sections 41–49 of this title; and to sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of any such property;

(5) to construct, improve, operate, and maintain any structures necessary for carrying out the purposes of sections 41–49 of this title;

(6) to develop for all or any part of the district comprehensive plans for the conservation of soil and water resources and the control and prevention of erosion within the district, as well as for any of the purposes mentioned in paragraphs (1) and (2) of this section, which plans shall specify in such detail as may be practicable the acts, procedures, performances, and avoidances which are necessary or desirable for the effectuation of such plans including the specifications of engineering operations, methods of cultivation, the growing of vegetation, cropping programs, tillage practices, and changes in use of land; and to publish or otherwise bring the plans to the attention of land occupiers;

(7) to act as agent for the United States of America, or the Government of the United States Virgin Islands or any of its agencies, in connection with the acquisition or administration of any soil and water conservation or erosion-control or prevention project within its boundaries;

(8) to accept contributions in money, services, materials, or otherwise, from any source, and to use or expend them in carrying on its operations;

(9) to sue and be sued; to have a seal, which seal shall be judicially noticed; to make and execute any necessary contracts or other instruments; and

(10) as a condition to the extending of benefits, or the performance of work upon lands under section 41–49 of this title, the supervisors may require land occupiers to enter into and perform such agreements or covenants as to the permanent use of such lands as will tend to prevent or control erosion thereon.

(11) To implement and administer the Environmental Protection Program established by Title 12, chapter 13 of the Code.