The board shall have or exercise the right of eminent domain in the manner provided by law for the condemnation of private property for public use. The board may take any property necessary or convenient to the exercise of the powers granted in this division, whether the property is already devoted to the same use or otherwise. In the proceedings, venue, and trial relative to the exercise of the right, the board has all the rights, powers, and privileges of an incorporated city and all rights, powers, and privileges conferred in this division. The board shall proceed in the name of the board in condemnation proceedings. The board, in exercising such power, shall, in addition to the damages for the taking, injury, or destruction of property, also pay the cost, exclusive of betterment and with credit for salvage value, of removal, reconstruction, or relocation of any structure, railways, mains, pipes, conduits, wires, cables, or poles of any public agency or utility which is required to be moved to a new location. If property is condemned by the board, the board may take possession and use the property in accordance with the provisions of Section 1243.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
(Added by Stats. 1975, Ch. 294.)