AUTHORITY TO ACQUIRE RIGHT-OF-WAY AND DUMPING PRIVILEGES

(a) For the purpose of navigation or to aid in navigation, a county may, in accordance with Section 1475.003, acquire right-of-way and necessary dumping privileges for a canal or waterway the construction of which is authorized by federal legislation. (b) The county may: (1) acquire the right-of-way and necessary dumping privileges by purchase, through donation, or by exercising the county's power of eminent domain; and (2) convey the right-of-way and dumping privileges to the United States by a deed executed in the manner that other deeds by a county must be executed. (c) In lieu of exercising its power of eminent domain, the county may: (1) allow the United States to acquire the right-of-way and necessary dumping privileges through the United States' power of eminent domain; and (2) lend the county's credit by guaranteeing the United States that the county will pay the resulting judgment or assessment of damages for the value of the condemned property.