11-16-105. State board of agriculture; duties generally.

(a) The commission shall:

(i) Keep a record of its official actions, adopt a seal, which shall be judicially noticed, and perform acts, hold public hearings and promulgate rules and regulations as necessary for the execution of its functions under this act;

(ii) Assist and guide districts in the preparation and carrying out of programs for resource conservation authorized under this act, review district programs, coordinate the programs of the several districts and resolve any conflicts, and facilitate, promote, assist, harmonize, coordinate and guide the resource conservation programs and activities of districts as they relate to other special purpose districts, counties and other public agencies;

(iii) Keep the supervisors of the districts organized under this act informed of the activities and experiences of other districts and facilitate cooperation and an interchange of advice and experience between the districts;

(iv) Coordinate the programs of the several conservation districts so far as this may be done by advice and consultation;

(v) Recommend the appropriation of state funds necessary to finance the activities of the commission and the conservation districts; distribute to conservation districts funds, equipment, supplies and services received by the commission for that purpose from any source, subject to conditions made applicable thereto by any state or federal statute or local ordinance making available the funds, property or services; issue regulations establishing guidelines and suitable controls to govern the use by conservation districts of such funds, property and services; and review all budgets, administrative procedures and operations of the districts and advise the districts concerning their conformance with applicable laws and regulations;

(vi) Disseminate information throughout the state concerning the activities and programs of the conservation districts and encourage the formation of such districts in areas where their organization is desirable; enlist the cooperation and collaboration of state, federal, regional, interstate and local public and private agencies with the conservation districts; facilitate arrangements under which the conservation districts may serve county governing bodies and other agencies as their local operating agencies in the administration of any activity concerned with the conservation of renewable natural resources; and except as otherwise assigned by law, carry out the policies of this state in programs at the state level for the conservation of the renewable natural resources of this state and represent the state in matters affecting such resources.

(b) Whenever the commission determines that there exists a substantial conflict between the resources conservation program of a district and the proposed plans or activities directly affecting resource conservation prepared by any other local governmental unit or agency of this state, and the conflict cannot be resolved through consultation procedures, the commission shall submit a report to the governor.