Chapter 5. Contracts With Other Agencies of California Water Code >> Division 13. >> Part 5. >> Chapter 5.

A district may for a valuable consideration enter into any contract with any irrigation or drainage district formed under the laws of the State as the board deems proper or advisable in the interests of the district, or to carry out or execute any of the purposes authorized by this division.

A district shall have power to join with one or more public agencies, private corporations or other persons for the purpose of carrying out any of the powers of such district, and for that purpose to contract with such other public agencies or private corporations or persons for the purpose of financing such acquisitions, constructions and operations. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this division, such contracts may provide that bonds of such district may be issued in order to acquire water rights or entitlements, including the right to receive and use water or a water supply, for each of the parties to such contracts, with such water rights or entitlements being divided among the parties in consideration of the payments to be made by such parties in order to provide debt service on the bonds of such district. A district may issue its bonds for the purpose of acquiring such water rights or entitlements under such contracts whenever joint action with the other parties to such contracts is reasonably necessary or convenient in order to obtain such water rights or entitlements for the district, and in such case the issuance of bonds of the district shall be considered a public purpose for the benefit of the district within the meaning of Section 25 of Article XIII of the California Constitution. Such contracts may provide for contributions to be made by each party thereto and for the division and apportionment of the expenses of such acquisitions and operations, and the division and apportionment of the benefits, the services and products therefrom, and may provide for an agency to effect such acquisitions and to carry on such operations, and shall provide in the powers and methods of procedure for such agency the method by which such agency may contract. Such contracts with other public or private corporations or persons may contain such other and further convenants and agreements as may be necessary or convenient to accomplish the purposes thereof.

A district may for a valuable consideration enter into any contract with the United States, the State, or any department or agency of either, or with any distribution district or improvement district formed within its boundaries, or with any political subdivision of the State, including irrigation and reclamation districts, as the board deems proper, advisable, or in the interest of the district for any one or more of the following purposes:
  (a) For the storage, regulation, control, development, and distribution of water for the irrigation of land.
  (b) For the use, control, and distribution of drainage water within the district.
  (c) For the construction, extension, operation, control, maintenance, and management of any works or other property constructed or acquired by the district, or over which it may have control, or which may be used or useful for the irrigation or drainage of land or for providing hydroelectric power.

Any contract entered into pursuant to this chapter may provide:
  (a) That the land shall be included in any irrigation, drainage, or reclamation project operated directly or indirectly by or under the authority of the United States or the State.
  (b) That the land shall receive water, electric power, drainage service, or other works or property of the irrigation, drainage, or reclamation project, including revenues derived therefrom.

Any contract entered into pursuant to this article may provide for the sale and conveyance to the United States, the State, any reclamation or irrigation project formed or operated by or under the authority of either, or any irrigation or water district formed under the laws of the State on any conditions agreed upon, which conditions shall require that the purchasing party furnish water to the land.

An action to determine the validity of any contract may be brought pursuant to Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 860) of Title 10 of Part 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure.