The Legislature has previously stated its desire to improve the quality of water, prevent soil erosion and alleviate flood damage in Mississippi, and great strides have been made through the use of water impoundment structures constructed through federal watershed construction funding programs. Flood control structures have provided secondary benefits including improvement of water quality and increased recreational opportunities. Flaws have become apparent in the system of maintenance established to protect these flood control structures to the point that many of the structures are in dire need of repair and pose a serious threat to property as well as loss of secondary benefits.