The Franklin Parish Watershed District shall be a political subdivision and a budgetary unit of the State of Louisiana, which shall have as its purpose the conservation of soil and water, developing the natural resources and wealth of the district for sanitary, agricultural, industrial and recreational purposes and providing for the protection against and control of flooding in the district, as the same may be conducive to the public health, safety, convenience or welfare or of public utility or benefit.
La. R.S. § 38:2802