Mississippi Code Title 51. Waters, Water Resources, Water Districts, Drainage, and Flood Control § 51-15-159

It is hereby declared as a matter of legislative determination that the overflow and inundation of sixteenth section lands or in lieu lands shall not constitute legal waste of such lands. The district shall pay a reasonable rental for the use of such lands to be overflowed, and the damages thereof shall be determined by the chancery court of the county in which the land is located. Any sixteenth section lands that have been flooded shall be reforested before this project shall ever be abandoned.