In this title the following words have the meanings indicated. “Board of directors” means the board of directors of a watershed association. “Board of viewers” means a board of watershed viewers established under this title. “Designated officer” means: the clerk of the county commissioners for a code county or commission county if there is a clerk for the county; or an employee or official of the county who is designated by the legislative body to perform the responsibilities of the designated officer under this title. “Landowner” means a person who owns, or has contracted to purchase, land that would be affected by a watershed project being considered by a watershed association or proposed watershed association. “Watershed association” means a public watershed association established under this title.

This title does not authorize: the interference with legal water rights; or the diversion of water in a manner that deprives an owner of land over which water flows of the benefits and water rights to which the owner of the land is legally entitled.

On a petition filed under § 25–201 of this title, the county commissioners, county council, or Mayor and City Council of Baltimore City may establish a watershed association. A watershed association may: construct, operate, and maintain a watershed project for: watershed protection; flood prevention; recreation; soil conservation; drainage; the conservation, development, storage, use, and disposal of water for any beneficial purpose in watershed and subwatershed areas; or the protection of areas subject to sediment or erosion damage; and cooperate with local, State, and federal units of government.

Watershed protection, flood prevention, recreation, soil conservation, drainage, and the conservation, development, storage, use, and disposal of water for any beneficial purpose benefit the public and promote public health, safety, and welfare.