(a)(1) The counties of this state are authorized and empowered to enter upon, take, and hold any lands or interest, easement, or servitude therein, whether by purchase, grant, donation, devise, or otherwise, that may be necessary and proper for the location, construction, operation, repair, or maintenance of any floodway, reservoir, spillway, levee or diversion, or other flood control improvements.(2)(A) In order to acquire such rights, easements, and servitudes, the counties are given the authority and power to condemn lands or interest therein for these purposes.(B) In the event it becomes necessary for counties to exercise the right of eminent domain, condemnation proceedings shall be instituted and conducted in the same manner as provided in §§ 18-15-304 - 18-15-307.(b) Nothing in this section shall ever be so construed or applied as to relieve the federal government of any liability or responsibility which it has assumed by the passage of the Flood Control Act of May 15, 1928, or the Flood Control Act of June 15, 1936, or any other existing law, or any law that may hereafter be passed by the United States Congress.Acts 1955, No. 73, § 1; A.S.A. 1947, § 17-315.
Arkansas Legal Code