(a) The Legislature has found and determined and does hereby declare that in Marengo County and in all municipalities situated in the county the following conditions exist:
(1) That the recent improvement of the state's inland waterways is and will continue bringing about an ever expanding use of such waterways, and the tremendous growth of commerce on such waterways has created a critical need for industrial expansion and development in general and a particularly critical need for wharves, piers, docks, quays, grain elevators, cotton compresses, warehouses, water and rail terminals, and other structures and facilities needful in such commerce and for the convenient use of such waterways.
(2) That the continued economic growth of the county and municipalities and the general health and welfare of the citizens of the county and municipalities will be greatly benefited by the development of docks and other related facilities along the inland waterways in the county.
(3) That it is necessary and desirable and in the best interest of the citizens of the county and municipalities therein that provisions be made for the establishment in the county of public corporations to provide such facilities.
(b) The Legislature does hereby further declare its intention by the passage of this article, to promote and advance the use of the inland waterways and the development of industry and commerce growing out of such use in the county and municipalities to which this article applies by authorizing the establishment of public corporations in the county as the agents of both the county and municipalities therein, vested with the powers and authority to provide the facilities needed or convenient for such development as hereinafter provided.
Last modified: May 3, 2021