§9-2-16. Director of Irrigation.

(a) There shall be established in the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources the office of the Director of Irrigation. The director shall be a person knowledgeable in the field of conservation and experienced in reclamation and irrigation work. The Governor shall appoint such director from a list of qualified nominees, one of whom shall be nominated by the Water Resources Research Institute, one by the Water Improvement Commission and one by the State Geologist. The director shall serve for a term of four years from the day after his appointment and until his successor is appointed and qualified, and he shall be directly responsible to the Governor. The salary of such director shall be $12,000.00 per annum to be paid in 12 equal monthly installments out of any funds made available to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

(b) It shall be the duty of the Director of Irrigation to work with and assist any irrigation district established or proposed to be established pursuant to any laws of this state. Such director shall assist in formulating plans for the establishment of such districts prior to their incorporation, shall supervise all work and efforts in connection therewith and shall exercise general supervision wherever state interests or conflicts arise with respect to state programs of irrigation and water conservation.

(Acts 1965, No. 828, p. 1556, §§ 1,2.)