WAT §253: The department may acquire, either in fee or in any lesser estate or interest, any real property which it considers necessary for state water and dam purposes.

The department may acquire, either in fee or in any lesser estate or interest, any real property which it considers necessary for state water and dam purposes. Real property for such purposes includes, but is not limited to, real property considered necessary for any of the following purposes: (a) For rights of way. (b) For the purposes of exchanging the same for other real property to be used for rights of way. (c) For rock quarries, gravel pits, or sand or earth borrow pits. (d) For offices, shops, or storage yards. (e) For parks adjoining or near any state dam or water facility. (f) For the culture and support of trees which benefit any state dam or water facility by aiding in the maintenance and preservation of the facility. (g) For drainage in connection with any state dam or water facility.