Section 196.205 - Establishment of Willamette Falls Locks Authority as independent public corporation(1) The Willamette Falls Locks Authority is established as a public corporation and shall exercise and carry out all powers, rights and privileges that are expressly conferred upon the authority, are implied by law or are incident to such powers, rights and privileges. The authority is an independent public corporation with a statewide mission and purposes and without territorial boundaries. The authority is a governmental entity performing governmental functions and exercising governmental powers but, except as otherwise provided by law, is not a unit of local or municipal government or a state agency for purposes of state statutes or constitutional provisions.(2) Unless otherwise provided by law, the authority is not subject to ORS 35.550 to 35.575, 180.060, 180.210 to 180.235, 183.710 to 183.730, 183.745, 183.750, 190.430, 190.480 to 190.490, 192.105, 200.035, 236.605 to 236.640, 243.105 to 243.585, 243.696, 243.853 to 243.855, 278.011 to 278.120, 283.085 to 283.092, 291.050 to 291.060, 357.805 to 357.895 and 656.017 (2) and ORS chapters 182, 183, 238, 238A, 240, 270, 273, 276, 282, 283, 291, 292, 293 and 297. The authority is a contracting agency for the purposes of ORS chapters 279A, 279B and 279C and shall purchase equipment, materials, supplies and services through the Oregon Department of Administrative Services as provided in ORS 279A.140 to 279A.161 and 279A.250 to 279A.290.(3) The mission of the authority is to establish ownership, oversight and management of the Willamette Falls Locks project, for the purposes of:(a) Enhancing the economic vitality of Oregon through facilitating the resiliency and navigability of the Willamette River; and(b) Repairing, maintaining, upgrading and operating the Willamette Falls Locks project and associated properties and facilities for commercial, transportation, recreational, cultural, historic, heritage and tourism purposes.(4) The authority shall carry out the purposes described in this section and the duties of the authority under ORS 196.200 to 196.240 and 196.993 in the manner that, in the determination of the authority, best promotes and implements the mission of the authority. Subject to any limitations established under ORS 196.200 to 196.240 and 196.993, the authority may take any necessary or expedient actions to: (a) Enter into any agreements as necessary or expedient to perform any authorized function of the authority, including but not limited to any agreements with the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works) for the United States Army Corps of Engineers or other public or private entities to: (A) Establish ownership by the authority of the Willamette Falls Locks project;(B) Repair, maintain, upgrade and operate the Willamette Falls Locks project and associated property and facilities; and(C) Provide for the training of personnel in operation of the navigation channel and locks;(b) Ensure the financial viability of the authority;(c) Promote the Willamette Falls Locks project to industries related to or interested in the authority's business operations, properties or facilities; and(d) Undertake improvements and maintenance activities, including dredging and channelization activities as the authority determines are necessary or expedient to ensure the continued operation and utility of the Willamette Falls Locks project as a navigation facility.