45-1945. Acquisition of water

A. The authority may:

1. Negotiate to acquire in its own name, or on behalf of an operating unit located within the authority's boundaries, water and rights to water that may be legally available to augment the water supply of the county in which the authority is established.

2. Sell or exchange any water it acquires in its own name to or with any operating unit within the authority's boundaries under such terms as are necessary to ensure the use of the water in a manner consistent with the water augmentation plan developed under section 45-1944.

3. Sell, lease, exchange, hold, sever, transfer or retire water rights.

4. Negotiate and enter into agreements to use existing facilities to transport water to and within the county in which the authority is established.

5. Enter into agreements with operating units by which the authority receives water rights or rights to receive water in exchange for a contractual obligation to develop or provide water for that operating unit.

6. Apply for and hold, in its own name or on behalf of an operating unit or units, permits that are required by law to engage in any of the activities described in this chapter.

B. The authority shall not by contract obligate or bind itself to take delivery of any water until it develops a means to store or dispose of the water.

C. In acquiring, selling, leasing, exchanging, holding, severing, transferring or retiring any water or rights to water, the authority and its operating units shall comply with any applicable federal or state law, regulation, rule, order, permit or other requirement applicable to the water or rights to water.