Section 57-55-7 - Mississippi Water Resources Research Institute established; functions, powers and duties(1) The board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning is hereby authorized and directed to establish a Mississippi Water Resources Research Institute, hereinafter referred to as the WRRI, at Mississippi State University under the direct supervision of the president of the university or a vice-president to be designated by the president.(2) It shall be the function and duty of the WRRI to: (a) Assist state agencies in the development and maintenance of a state water management plan;(b) Consult with state and local governmental agencies, water management districts, water user associations, the legislature of the State of Mississippi, and other potential users in identifying and establishing research, planning, policy, and management priorities regarding water problems.(c) Negotiate and administer contracts with local, regional, state and federal agencies and other universities of the state for mitigation of priority water and related problems;(d) Report to the appropriate state agencies each year on the progress and findings of research projects;(e) Disseminate new information and facilitate transfer and application of new technologies as they are developed;(f) Provide for liaison between Mississippi and funding agencies as an advocate for Mississippi water research, planning, policy, and management needs; and(g) Facilitate and stimulate planning and management that: (i) Deals with water policy issues facing the State of Mississippi;(ii) Supports state water agencies' missions with research on problems encountered and expected;(iii) Provides water planning and management organizations with tools to increase efficiency and effectiveness of water planning and management.(3) The principal administrative officer of the WRRI shall be a director, who shall be appointed by the president of Mississippi State University, with the approval of the board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning. To meet the purposes of the WRRI, the director shall develop appropriate policies and procedures (a) for identification of priority research problems; (b) for collaborating with local and state governmental agencies, water user associations, other universities, federal government agencies, and the legislature in the formulation of its research program; (c) for selection of projects to be funded; and (d) for the dissemination and transfer of information and technology produced by research.Laws, 1983, ch. 512, §§ 5-7, eff. 7/1/1983.