The district is authorized and empowered to consider, plan, propose, and at the request of and with the consent of the public agency involved in such project, to provide for the implementation of any approved regional project. The district may determine and establish priorities for the consideration of regional projects, and shall give primary attention to those projects related to rehabilitating those areas of the region devastated by disaster, to safeguard the lives and promote the safety of the people within the region, and for the protection of property from future disaster.