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.