(1) The legislature recognizes the need for the state of Washington to implement an understanding reached with the Province of British Columbia in relation to a joint venture with British Columbia for controlling the outflow and level of Lake Osoyoos, an international lake, and in connection therewith to replace an existing lake control structure on the Okanogan river in Washington state which has been classified as deteriorated and unsafe.
(2) For the purpose of implementing subsection (1) of this section, the department of ecology may acquire, design, construct, own, operate, and maintain a project to be known as the Lake Osoyoos International Water Control Structure and may acquire all real property interests necessary thereto by purchase, grant, gift, or eminent domain; provided that the authority of eminent domain as granted to the department under this section is limited to acquiring property necessary for access to the control structure, location of abutments for the control structure, and flowage easements if necessary.
(3) The department may accept and administer grants or gifts from any source for the purpose of carrying out subsection (2) of this section.
(4) The department may exercise its powers under subsection (2) of this section directly or through contracts, except that it may not delegate its authority of eminent domain. The department may also enter into agreements with any public or municipal corporation with respect to operation and maintenance of the project authorized under subsection (2) of this section.