Arterial Drainage Act, 1945.

The text of the Act is divided into 8 Parts: Preliminary (Part I); Drainage schemes (II); Existing drainage districts (III); Existing embankments (IV); Maintenance of drainage works (V); Amendment of awards (VI); The panel of drainage arbitrators (VII); Miscellaneous and general (VIII).
Whenever the Commissioners are of opinion that the execution of arterial drainage works is expedient in respect of any catchment area for the purpose of preventing or substantially reducing the periodical flooding of lands in that area or of improving by drainage lands in the said area, it shall be lawful for the Commissioners to prepare a scheme for the execution of such works and for that purpose to make such engineering and valuation surveys of the said area as shall appear to them to be necessary or expedient. Such Scheme shall require confirmation by the Minister. The Commissioners shall, when constructing drainage works in pursuance of a drainage scheme, take such precautions and make such provisions as the Minister for Agriculture may consider adequate for the protection of and avoidance of injury to fisheries during or in consequence of the construction of such drainage works (sect. 10). Section 20 provides for the disposal of surplus lands. Maintenance of existing drainage works shall be the responsibility of county councils (sect. 23). Part IV provides for the transfer of control and management of existing embankments to the Commissioners. The Reference Committee constituted by paragraph (c) of sub-section (5) of section 1 of the Acquisition of Land (Assessment of Compensation) Act, 1919 shall from time to time at the request of the Minister appoint such number as the Minister shall specify of persons to be members of a panel to be known and in referred to as the Panel of Drainage Arbitrators.