Cal. Public Resources Code § 9869

On behalf of an improvement district the directors may do any or all acts necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of the improvement district, including, but not limited to any or all of the following: (a) Acquire without cost to the United States such land, easements, or rights-of-way as will be needed in connection with improvements installed or constructed with the financial assistance of the United States; (b) Assume such share of the cost of installing or constructing any improvements involving the financial assistance of the United States as are equitable in consideration of the anticipated benefits from such improvements; (c) Defray the costs of operation and maintenance of such works of improvement in accordance with such terms as may be agreed upon; (d) Acquire, or provide assurance that the district, the improvement district, or the owners of real property have acquired, such water rights as may be needed in the installation and operation of the work of improvment; (e) Obtain agreements to carry out soil conservation measures and proper farm plans from owners of real property in connection with such a work of improvement.