District as political subdivision and body corporate; purpose and powers

A. The district so created shall be a political subdivision of the state of Louisiana which shall have for its purpose the preservation, promotion, and development of the wealth and natural resources of the district by the conservation of the soil and water of Black River Lake for agricultural, recreational, commercial, and sanitary purposes and by the regulation of aquatic plant growth. B. It shall constitute a body corporate in law with all powers, rights, privileges, and immunities of a corporation. It shall have the power to sue and be sued, to buy and sell, to levy taxes, to negotiate and execute contracts, and to incur debts and issue negotiable bonds in payment thereof under and in accordance with existing law. It shall have the authority to acquire by purchase, donation, or otherwise every type and specie of property, including servitudes and rights of use necessary to its purpose, and to lease, build, operate, and maintain any works or machinery designed to accomplish the purposes of the district. C. It shall have complete control over the supply of fresh water of Black River Lake which shall be administered for the benefit of the persons residing or owning property within the district, and if it should be for the benefit of the district it shall have the authority to sell such water for irrigation, municipal, and industrial uses both within and outside the district. However, the district shall have no authority to regulate or control any use by any municipality, district, or other person of such water supply which use was being made by such municipality, district, or other person on the effective date of this Part, including no authority to charge or collect any fee or charge therefor. D. The district shall constitute an instrumentality of the state of Louisiana designed to carry out an essential governmental function, and all of the property of which the district shall be exempt from state and local sales and use taxation. 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 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 the state for the management of the waters of Black River Lake and the construction, operation, and maintenance of facilities designed to accomplish the purpose for which the district is created on any basis including the matching of funds and by participating in projects authorized by any federal or state law as it shall see fit.