85-8-701. Purpose of part. (1) The purpose of this part is to confer certain additional powers on drainage districts already created or to be created under the laws of the state of Montana for the purposes of cooperating with the government of the United States and landowners in flood prevention and the conservation, development, utilization, and disposal of water for the further development of the economy of this state and for the promotion of the public health and welfare.

(2) The purpose of this part is to enable existing drainage districts or newly created drainage districts as provided herein to enter into cooperative agreements and programs to carry out the purposes of Public Law 566, 83rd congress of the United States, or other laws of the national congress pertaining to flood prevention and the conservation, development, utilization, and disposal of water. This part is to be given a liberal construction to the end that these purposes may be carried out, and to this end all political subdivisions of the state of Montana, all agencies and departments of the state government, and all soil conservation districts are authorized to cooperate with, expend funds for, and enter into agreements with drainage districts and any agencies of the United States government for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this part and Public Law 566, 83rd congress of the United States, or other laws of the national congress pertaining to flood prevention and the conservation, development, utilization, and disposal of water.

(3) None of the additional powers granted by this part shall be exercised except for the purpose of participating in projects or programs authorized under Public Law 566, 83rd congress of the United States, or other laws of the national congress pertaining to flood prevention and the conservation, development, utilization, and disposal of water.