143-494. Article IV. Avoidance of Duplication.

(a) To avoid duplication of effort and in the interest of economy, the Board shall make use of existing studies, surveys, plans and data and other materials in the possession of the governmental agencies of the party states and their respective subdivisions or in the possession of other interstate agencies. Each such agency, within available appropriations and if not expressly prevented or limited by law, is hereby authorized to make such materials available to the Board and to otherwise assist it in the performance of its functions. At the request of the Board, each such agency is further authorized to provide information regarding plans and programs affecting the region, or any subarea thereof, so that the Board may have available to it current information with respect thereto.

(b) The Board shall use qualified public and private agencies to make investigations and conduct research, but if it is unable to secure the undertaking of such investigations or original research by a qualified public or private agency, it shall have the power to make its own investigations and conduct its own research. The Board may make contracts with any public or private agencies or private persons or entities for the undertaking of such investigations or original research within its purview.

(c) In general, the policy of paragraph (b) of this Article shall apply to the activities of the Board relating to its statement of regional objectives, but nothing herein shall be construed to require the Board to rely on the services of other persons or agencies in developing the statement of regional objectives or any amendment, supplement or revision thereof.