[§167-15]  State lands, formation of
irrigation project.  The board of agriculture may organize irrigation
projects for lands under its control, whether or not the lands are occupied in
whole or in part.  If the lands for which the proposed project is to be
organized are not occupied or are occupied by persons whose rights to occupancy
will expire before the project water will be supplied to the lands, no notice
need be published nor public hearing held as in section 167-16 required.  The
costs of construction of the project, shall be paid by the board, in the event
and to the extent that the development and opening of the lands does not enable
the making of acreage assessments sufficient to repay construction costs, from
any funds in the state treasury derived from the lease or license of public
lands or waters, which funds are hereby made available for such purposes. [L
1987, c 306, pt of §1]