43 USC CHAPTER 12, SUBCHAPTER XI: MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF WORKS GENERALLY

From Title 43—PUBLIC LANDSCHAPTER 12—RECLAMATION AND IRRIGATION OF LANDS BY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

SUBCHAPTER XI—MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF WORKS GENERALLY

§491. Authority of Secretary to operate works

The Secretary of the Interior is authorized and directed to use the reclamation fund for the operation and maintenance of all reservoirs and irrigation works constructed under the provisions of this Act.

(June 17, 1902, ch. 1093, §6, 32 Stat. 389.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

This Act, referred to in text, is act June 17, 1902, popularly known as the Reclamation Act, which is classified generally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 371 of this title and Tables.

Codification

Section is comprised of part of section 6 of act June 17, 1902. Remainder of such section 6 is classified to section 498 of this title.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Section as Unaffected by Submerged Lands Act

Provisions of this section as not amended, modified or repealed by the Submerged Lands Act, see section 1303 of this title.

§492. Operation and maintenance charges generally

In addition to the construction charge, every water-right applicant, entryman, or landowner under or upon a reclamation project shall also pay, whenever water service is available for the irrigation of his land, an operation and maintenance charge based upon the total cost of operation and maintenance of the project, or each separate unit thereof, and such charge shall be made for each acre-foot of water delivered; but each acre of irrigable land, whether irrigated or not, shall be charged with a minimum operation and maintenance charge based upon the charge for delivery of not less than one acre-foot of water. If the total amount of operation and maintenance charges and penalties collected for any one irrigation season on any project shall exceed the cost of operation and maintenance of the project during that irrigation season, the balance shall be applied to a reduction of the charge on the project for the next irrigation season, and any deficit incurred may likewise be added to the charge for the next irrigation season.

(Aug. 13, 1914, ch. 247, §5, 38 Stat. 687.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section is comprised of part of first sentence and second sentence of section 5 of act Aug. 13, 1914. Remainder of first sentence of such section is classified to section 499 of this title.

§493. Operation charges; date of payment; discount; advance payment

All operation and maintenance charges upon projects existing prior to December 5, 1924, shall become due and payable on the date fixed for each project by the Secretary of the Interior, and if such charge is paid on or before the date when due there shall be a discount of 5 per centum of such charge.

All contracts providing for new projects and new divisions of projects approved after December 5, 1924, shall require that all operation and maintenance charges shall be payable in advance. In each case where the care, operation, and maintenance of a project or division of a project are transferred to the water users the contract shall require the payment of operation and maintenance charges in advance. Whenever an adjustment of water charges is made under sections 371, 376, 377, 412, 417, 433, 438,¹ 462, 463,¹ 466, 467,¹ 473,¹ 474,¹ 478, 493, 494, 500, 501 and 526 of this title the adjustment contract shall provide that thereafter all operation and maintenance charges shall be payable in advance.

(Aug. 13, 1914, ch. 247, §6, 38 Stat. 688; Dec. 5, 1924, ch. 4, §4, subsec. N, 43 Stat. 704.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 438 of this title, referred to in text, was repealed by act Aug. 13, 1953, ch. 428, §10, 67 Stat. 568.

Sections 463, 467, 473, and 474 of this title, referred to in text, were repealed by act May 25, 1926, ch. 383, §47, 44 Stat. 650.

Codification

First paragraph of this section is comprised of part of first sentence of section 6 of act Aug. 13, 1914. Remainder of first sentence of such section 6 is classified to sections 479, 494, and 495 of this title; second and third sentences of such section 6 are classified to sections 496 and 497 of this title, respectively.

Second paragraph of this section is from act Dec. 5, 1924.

Language was inserted in the first paragraph of this section limiting it to projects existing prior to Dec. 5, 1924, to avoid conflict with second paragraph applicable to projects after Dec. 5, 1924.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Definitions

The definitions in section 371 of this title apply to this section.

¹ See References in Text note below.

§493a. Omitted

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section, act May 10, 1926, ch. 277, 44 Stat. 479, authorized Secretary of the Interior, until June 30, 1927, to extend time for payment of charges for period not exceeding 5 years.

§494. Pecuniary penalty for nonpayment of operation charge

If any operation or maintenance charge is unpaid on the 1st day of the third calendar month after it became due a penalty of 1 per centum of the amount unpaid shall be added thereto, and thereafter an additional penalty of one-half of 1 per centum of the amount unpaid shall be added on the 1st day of each calendar month if such charge and penalties shall remain unpaid.

(Aug. 13, 1914, ch. 247, §6, 38 Stat. 688; Dec. 5, 1924, ch. 4, §4, subsec. H, 43 Stat. 703.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section is comprised of part of first sentence of section 6 of act Aug. 13, 1914. Remainder of first sentence of such section 6 is classified to sections 479, 493 and 495 of this title; second and third sentences of such section 6 are classified to sections 496 and 497 of this title, respectively.

Act Dec. 5, 1924, reduced the additional penalty from 1 per centum to one-half of 1 per centum.

§495. Shutting off water for nonpayment of operation charge

No water shall be delivered to the lands of any water-right applicant or entryman who shall be in arrears for more than one calendar year for the payment of any charge for operation and maintenance.

(Aug. 13, 1914, ch. 247, §6, 38 Stat. 688.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section is comprised of part of first sentence of section 6 of act Aug. 13, 1914. Remainder of first sentence of such section 6 is classified to sections 479, 493 and 494 of this title; second and third sentences of such section 6 are classified to sections 496 and 497 of this title, respectively.

§496. Cancellation of entry or water right for nonpayment of operation charge

If any water-right applicant or entryman shall be one year in arrears in the payment of any charge for operation and maintenance and penalties, or any part thereof, his water-right application, and if he be a homestead entryman his entry also, shall be subject to cancellation, and all payments made by him forfeited to the reclamation fund, but no homestead entry shall be subject to contest because of such arrears.

(Aug. 13, 1914, ch. 247, §6, 38 Stat. 688.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section is comprised of second sentence of section 6 of act Aug. 13, 1914. First and third sentences of such section 6 are classified to sections 479, 493, 494, 495, 497 of this title, respectively.

§497. Action to recover operation charge and penalty

In the discretion of the Secretary of the Interior suit or action may be brought for the amounts of operation or maintenance charges in default and penalties in like manner as provided in section 481 of this title.

(Aug. 13, 1914, ch. 247, §6, 38 Stat. 688.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section is comprised of third sentence of section 6 of act Aug. 13, 1914. First and second sentences of such section 6 are classified to sections 479, 493, 494, 495, and 496 of this title, respectively.

§498. Transfer of management and operation of works to water users generally

When the payments required by this Act are made for the major portion of the lands irrigated from the waters of any of the works herein provided for, then the management and operation of such irrigation works shall pass to the owners of the lands irrigated thereby, to be maintained at their expense under such form of organization and under such rules and regulations as may be acceptable to the Secretary of the Interior; Provided, That the title to and the management and operation of the reservoirs and the works necessary for their protection and operation shall remain in the Government until otherwise provided by Congress.

(June 17, 1902, ch. 1093, §6, 32 Stat. 389.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Codification

Section is comprised of part of section 6 of act June 17, 1902. Remainder of such section 6 is classified to section 491 of this title.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Section as Unaffected by Submerged Lands Act

Provisions of this section as not amended, modified or repealed by the Submerged Lands Act, see section 1303 of this title.

§499. Discretionary power to transfer management

Whenever any legally organized water-users' association or irrigation district shall so request, the Secretary of the Interior is authorized, in his discretion, to transfer to such water-users' association or irrigation district the care, operation, and maintenance of all or any part of the project works, subject to such rules and regulations as he may prescribe.

(Aug. 13, 1914, ch. 247, §5, 38 Stat. 687.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section is comprised of part of first sentence of section 5 of act Aug. 13, 1914. Remainder of first sentence and second sentence of such section 5 are classified to section 492 of this title.

§499a. Transfer of title to movable property; use of appropriations

Whenever an irrigation district, municipality, or water users' organization assumes operation and maintenance of works constructed to furnish or distribute a water supply pursuant to a contract entered into with the United States in accordance with the Federal reclamation laws (Act of June 17, 1902, 32 Stat. 388, and Acts amendatory thereof or supplementary thereto), the Secretary of the Interior may transfer to said district, municipality, or organization title to movable property which has been purchased with funds advanced by the district, municipality, or organization or which, in the case of property purchased with appropriated funds, is necessary to the operation and maintenance of such works and the value of which is to be repaid under a contract with the district, municipality, or organization. In order to encourage the assumption by irrigation districts, municipalities, and water users' organizations of the operation and maintenance of works constructed to furnish or distribute a water supply, the Secretary is authorized to use appropriated funds available for the project involved to acquire movable property for transfer under the terms and conditions hereinbefore provided, at the time operation and maintenance is assumed.

(July 29, 1954, ch. 616, 68 Stat. 580; Aug. 2, 1956, ch. 884, 70 Stat. 940; Pub. L. 89–48, §1, June 24, 1965, 79 Stat. 172.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Act of June 17, 1902, referred to in text, is popularly known as the Reclamation Act, which is classified generally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 371 of this title and Tables.

Amendments

1965—Pub. L. 89–48, which directed that section 1 of the Act of July 29, 1954, be amended generally, was executed by amending generally this section which comprised all of the Act of July 29, 1954, as the probable intent of Congress, notwithstanding that such Act did not have any section designations. Prior to amendment, this section read as follows: "Whenever an irrigation district or water users' organization assumes operation and maintenance of irrigation works pursuant to a contract entered into with the United States in accordance with the Federal reclamation laws (Act of June 17, 1902, 32 Stat. 388, and Acts amendatory thereof or supplementary thereto), the Secretary of the Interior may transfer to said district or organization title to movable property which has been purchased with funds advanced by the district or organization or which, in the case of property purchased with appropriated funds, is necessary to the operation and maintenance of such works and the value of which is to be repaid under a contract with the district or organization. In order to encourage the assumption by irrigation districts and water users' organizations of the operation and maintenance of irrigation works, the Secretary is authorized to use appropriated funds available for the project involved to acquire movable property for transfer at the time operation and maintenance is assumed under the terms and conditions hereinbefore provided."

1956—Act Aug. 2, 1956, authorized Secretary to use appropriated funds for a project to acquire movable property for transfer to irrigation districts and other water users' organizations to encourage them to take over operation and maintenance of reclamation projects as soon as they are completed.

Short Title

This section is popularly known as the "Title to Movable Property Act".

§499b. Transfer to municipal corporations or other organizations of care, operation, and maintenance of works supplying water for municipal, domestic, or industrial use

Whenever a municipal corporation or other organization to which water for municipal, domestic, or industrial use is furnished or distributed under a contract entered into with the United States pursuant to the Federal reclamation laws so requests, the Secretary of the Interior is authorized to transfer to it or its nominee the care, operation, and maintenance of the works by which such water supply is made available or such part of those works as, in his judgment, is appropriate in the circumstances, subject to such terms and conditions as he may prescribe.

(Pub. L. 89–48, §2, June 24, 1965, 79 Stat. 172.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Federal reclamation laws, referred to in text, probably means the Act of June 17, 1902, ch. 1093, 32 Stat. 388, popularly known as the Reclamation Act, and Acts amendatory thereof or supplementary thereto. The Act of June 17, 1902, is classified generally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 371 of this title and Tables.

§500. Duty of association or district to take over management

Whenever two-thirds of the irrigable area of any project, or division of a project, shall be covered by water-right contracts between the water users and the United States, said project shall be required, as a condition precedent to receiving the benefits of sections 371, 376, 377, 412, 417, 433, 438,¹ 462, 463,¹ 466, 467,¹ 473,¹ 474,¹ 478, 493, 494, 500, 501, and 526 of this title to take over, through a legally organized water-users' association or irrigation district, the care, operation, and maintenance of all or any part of the project works, subject to such rules and regulations as the Secretary may prescribe, and thereafter the United States, in its relation to said project, shall deal with a water users' association or irrigation district, and when the water users assume control of a project, the operation and maintenance charges for the year then current shall be covered into the construction account to be repaid as part of the construction repayments.

(Dec. 5, 1924, ch. 4, §4, subsec. G, 43 Stat. 702.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 438 of this title, referred to in text, was repealed by act Aug. 13, 1953, ch. 428, §10, 67 Stat. 568.

Sections 463, 467, 473, and 474 of this title, referred to in text, were repealed by act May 25, 1926, ch. 383, §47, 44 Stat. 650.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Definitions

The definitions in section 371 of this title apply to this section.

¹ See References in Text note below.

§501. Disposition of profits of project taken over by water users

Whenever the water users take over the care, operation, and maintenance of a project, or a division of a project, the total accumulated net profits, as determined by the Secretary, derived from the operation of project power plants, leasing of project grazing and farm lands, and the sale or use of town sites shall be credited to the construction charge of the project, or a division thereof, and thereafter the net profits from such sources may be used by the water users to be credited annually, first, on account of project construction charge, second, on account of project operation and maintenance charge, and third, as the water users may direct. No distribution to individual water users shall be made out of any such profits before all obligations to the Government shall have been fully paid.

(Dec. 5, 1924, ch. 4, §4, subsec. I, 43 Stat. 703.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Definitions

The definitions in section 371 of this title apply to this section.

§502. Emergency fund to assure continuous operation of projects and project facilities governed by Federal reclamation law

In order to assure continuous operation of all projects and project facilities governed by the Federal reclamation law (Act of June 17, 1902, 32 Stat. 388, and Acts amendatory thereof or supplementary thereto), including any project and facilities constructed with funds provided by the Small Reclamation Projects Act (Act of August 6, 1956, 70 Stat. 1044, and Acts amendatory thereof or supplementary thereto) [43 U.S.C. 422a et seq.] or with funds provided by the Distribution System Loans Act (Act of May 14, 1956, 69 Stat. 244, and Acts amendatory thereof or supplementary thereto), there is hereby authorized to be appropriated from the reclamation fund an emergency fund which shall be available for defraying expenses which the Commissioner of Reclamation determines are required to be incurred because of unusual or emergency conditions.

(June 26, 1948, ch. 676, §1, 62 Stat. 1052; Pub. L. 97–275, Oct. 1, 1982, 96 Stat. 1185.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Small Reclamation Projects Act, referred to in text, probably means the Small Reclamation Projects Act of 1956, act Aug. 6, 1956, ch. 972, 70 Stat. 1044, which is classified generally to subchapter IV (§422a et seq.) of this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 422k of this title and Tables.

The Distribution System Loans Act (Act of May 14, 1956, 69 Stat. 244, and Acts amendatory thereof or supplementary thereto), referred to in text, probably means act July 4, 1955, ch. 271, 69 Stat. 244, which is classified generally to sections 421a to 421h of this title. Act May 14, 1956, ch. 268, 70 Stat. 155, amended section 421c of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.

Amendments

1982—Pub. L. 97–275 substituted "all projects and project facilities governed by the Federal reclamation law (Act of June 17, 1902, 32 Stat. 388, and Acts amendatory thereof or supplementary thereto), including any project and facilities constructed with funds provided by the Small Reclamation Projects Act (Act of August 6, 1956, 70 Stat. 1044, and Acts amendatory thereof or supplementary thereto) or with funds provided by the Distribution System Loans Act (Act of May 14, 1956, 69 Stat. 244, and Acts amendatory thereof or supplementary thereto)" for "irrigation or power systems operated and maintained by the Bureau of Reclamation, Department of the Interior".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Emergency Drought Authority

Pub. L. 100–387, title IV, subtitle B, Aug. 11, 1988, 102 Stat. 957, provided that:

"part 1—reclamation states drought assistance

"SEC. 411. SHORT TITLE.

"This part may be cited as the 'Reclamation States Drought Assistance Act of 1988'.

"SEC. 412. ASSISTANCE DURING DROUGHT.

"The Secretary of the Interior, acting under the authorities of the Federal reclamation laws (the Act of June 17, 1902 (32 Stat. 388) [see Short Title note under section 371 of this title], and Acts supplementary thereto and amendatory thereof) and other appropriate authorities of the Secretary shall—

"(1)(A) perform studies to identify opportunities to augment, make use of, or conserve water supplies available to Federal reclamation projects and Indian water resource developments, which studies shall be completed no later than March 1, 1990; and

"(B) consistent with existing contractual arrangements and State law, and without further authorization, undertake construction, management, and conservation activities that will mitigate or can be expected to have an effect in mitigating losses and damages resulting from drought conditions in 1987, 1988, or 1989, which construction shall be completed by December 31, 1989; and

"(2) assist willing buyers in their purchase of available water supplies from willing sellers and redistribute such water based upon priorities to be determined by the Secretary consistent with State law, with the objective of minimizing losses and damages resulting from drought conditions in 1987, 1988, and 1989.

"SEC. 413. AVAILABILITY OF WATER ON A TEMPORARY BASIS.

"(a) General Authority.—The Secretary of the Interior may make available, by contract, consistent with existing contracts or agreements and State law, water or canal capacity at existing Federal reclamation projects to water users and others, on a temporary basis to mitigate losses and damages resulting from drought conditions in 1987, 1988, and 1989.

"(b) Contracts.—Any contract signed under this section shall provide that—

"(1) the price for the use of such water shall be at least sufficient to recover all Federal operation and maintenance costs, and an appropriate share of capital costs, except that, for water delivered to a landholding in excess of 960 acres of class I lands or the equivalent thereof for a qualified recipient and 320 acres of class I lands or the equivalent thereof for a limited recipient, the cost of such water shall be full cost (as defined in section 202(3)(A) of Public Law 97–293, 43 U.S.C. 390bb) for those acres in excess of 960 acres or 320 acres, as appropriate;

"(2) the lands not now subject to reclamation law that receive temporary irrigation water supplies under this section shall not become subject to the ownership limitations of Federal reclamation law because of the delivery of such temporary water supplies;

"(3) the lands that are subject to the ownership limitations of Federal reclamation law shall not be exempted from those limitations because of the delivery of such temporary water supplies; and

"(4) the contract shall terminate no later than December 31, 1989.

"(c) Fish and Wildlife.—The Secretary may make available water for the purposes of protecting fish and wildlife resources, including mitigating losses that occur as a result of drought conditions.

"SEC. 414. EMERGENCY LOAN PROGRAM.

"The Secretary of the Interior may make loans to water users for the purposes of undertaking management, conservation activities, or the acquisition and transportation of water consistent with State law, that can be expected to have an effect in mitigating losses and damages resulting from drought conditions in 1987, 1988, and 1989. Such loans shall be made available under such terms and conditions as the Secretary deems appropriate. Section 203(a) of the Reclamation Reform Act of 1982 (Public Law 97–293; 43 U.S.C. 390cc) shall not apply to any contract to repay such loan.

"SEC. 415. INTERAGENCY COORDINATION.

"The program established by this part, to the extent practicable, shall be coordinated with emergency and disaster relief operations conducted by other Federal and State agencies under other provisions of law. The Secretary of the Interior shall consult such other Federal and State agencies as he deems necessary. Other Federal agencies performing relief functions under other Federal authorities shall provide the Secretary with information and records that the Secretary deems necessary for the administration of this part.

"SEC. 416. REPORT.

"Not later than March 1, 1990, the Secretary of the Interior shall submit a report and recommendations to the President and Congress on—

"(1) expenditures and accomplishments under this part;

"(2) legislative and administrative recommendations for responding to droughts and drought related problems in the Reclamation States; and

"(3) structural and non-structural measures to mitigate the effects of droughts.

"SEC. 417. CARRYOVER STORAGE AND WATER, NEW MELONES UNIT, CENTRAL VALLEY PROJECT, CALIFORNIA.

"The first undesignated paragraph under the heading 'San Joaquin River Basin' in section 203 of the Flood Control Act of 1962 (Public Law 87–874, 76 Stat. 1191) is amended by inserting before the last period the following: ': And provided further, That the Secretary of the Interior is authorized to make available to the Oakdale and South San Joaquin irrigation districts, at the current contract rate, unallocated storage of such districts carried over from the previous year'.

"SEC. 418. INITIATION AND DEADLINE OF EMERGENCY DROUGHT PROGRAM.

"(a) Limitation.—The programs and authorities established under this part shall become operative in any Reclamation State only after—

"(1) the Governor of that State has declared a drought emergency; and

"(2) the affected area is declared eligible for Federal disaster relief under applicable rules and regulations.

"(b) Termination.—The programs and authorities established under this part shall terminate on December 31, 1989, unless otherwise specifically stated.

"part 2—water project

"SEC. 421. CENTRAL VALLEY PROJECT WATER RELEASES.

"The Secretary of the Interior is authorized to install a temperature control curtain as a demonstration project at Shasta Dam, Central Valley project, California, at a cost not to exceed $5,500,000. The purpose of the demonstration project is to determine the effectiveness of the temperature control curtain in controlling the temperature of water releases from Shasta Dam, so as to protect and enhance anadromous fisheries in the Sacramento River and San Francisco Bay/Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and Estuary[.]

"part 3—authorization and savings clause

"SEC. 431. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

"(a) There are authorized to be appropriated a total amount not to exceed $25,000,000 for section 412(1)(B) and section 414 of this subtitle.

"(b) Unless otherwise specified, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the remaining provisions of this subtitle.

"SEC. 432. SAVINGS CLAUSE.

"Nothing in this subtitle shall be construed as limiting or restricting the power and authority of the United States or—

"(1) as affecting in any way any law governing appropriation or use of, or Federal right to, water on public lands;

"(2) as expanding or diminishing Federal or State jurisdiction, responsibility, interests, or rights in water resources development or control;

"(3) as displacing, superseding, limiting, or modifying any interstate compact or the jurisdiction or responsibility of any legally established joint or common agency of two or more States or of two States and the Federal Government;

"(4) as superseding, modifying, or repealing, except as specifically set forth in this subtitle, existing law applicable to the various Federal agencies; or

"(5) as modifying the terms of any interstate compact."

Use of Western Area Power Administration Continuing Fund To Pay for Purchase Power and Wheeling Expenses To Meet Contractual Obligations During Periods of Below-Average Hydropower Generation

Pub. L. 101–101, title III, Sept. 29, 1989, 103 Stat. 661, provided: "That, the continuing fund established in Public Law 98–50 [July 14, 1983, 97 Stat. 247, 257] shall also be available on an ongoing basis for paying for purchase power and wheeling expenses when the Administrator determines that such expenditures are necessary to meet contractual obligations for the sale and delivery of power during periods of below-normal hydropower generation. Payments from the continuing fund shall be limited to the amount required to replace the generation deficiency, and only for the project where the deficiency occurred. Replenishment of the continuing fund shall occur within twelve months of the month in which the funds were first expended."

Emergency Fund

Provisions relating to appropriations for the emergency fund to assure continuous operation of projects and project facilities governed by Federal reclamation law were contained in the following appropriation acts:

Pub. L. 103–316, title II, Aug. 26, 1994, 108 Stat. 1714.

Pub. L. 103–126, title II, Oct. 28, 1993, 107 Stat. 1324.

Pub. L. 102–377, title II, Oct. 2, 1992, 106 Stat. 1329.

Pub. L. 102–104, title II, Aug. 17, 1991, 105 Stat. 524.

Pub. L. 101–514, title II, Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 2085.

Pub. L. 101–101, title II, Sept. 29, 1989, 103 Stat. 654.

Pub. L. 100–371, title II, July 19, 1988, 102 Stat. 864.

Pub. L. 100–202, §101(d) [title II], Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1329–104, 1329-116.

Pub. L. 99–500, §101(e) [title II], Oct. 18, 1986, 100 Stat. 1783–194, 1783-202, and Pub. L. 99–591, §101(e) [title II], Oct. 30, 1986, 100 Stat. 3341–194, 3341-202.

Pub. L. 99–141, title II, title III, Nov. 1, 1985, 99 Stat. 569, 575.

Pub. L. 98–360, title II, title III, July 16, 1984, 98 Stat. 409, 416.

Pub. L. 98–50, title II, title III, July 14, 1983, 97 Stat. 252, 257.

Pub. L. 97–88, title III, Dec. 4, 1981, 95 Stat. 1145.

Pub. L. 96–367, title I, Oct. 1, 1980, 94 Stat. 1335.

Pub. L. 96–69, title I, Sept. 25, 1979, 93 Stat. 440.

Pub. L. 94–355, title III, July 12, 1976, 89 Stat. 895.

Pub. L. 93–393, title III, Aug. 28, 1974, 88 Stat. 787.

Pub. L. 93–97, title III, Aug. 16, 1973, 87 Stat. 321.

Pub. L. 92–134, title III, Oct. 5, 1971, 85 Stat. 370.

Pub. L. 91–144, title III, Dec. 11, 1969, 83 Stat. 331.

Pub. L. 89–689, title II, Oct. 15, 1966, 80 Stat. 1008.

Pub. L. 88–511, title II, Aug. 30, 1964, 78 Stat. 687.

Pub. L. 87–880, title II, Oct. 24, 1962, 76 Stat. 1221.

Temporary Authority of Secretary of the Interior To Facilitate Emergency Actions With Regard to 1976–1977 Drought

Pub. L. 95–18, Apr. 7, 1977, 91 Stat. 36, as amended by Pub. L. 95–107, Aug. 17, 1977, 91 Stat. 870; Pub. L. 95–226, Feb. 7, 1978, 92 Stat. 10, directed Secretary of the Interior to undertake construction, management and conservation activities designed to mitigate losses and damages to Federal reclamation projects and Indian irrigation projects resulting from 1976–1977 drought, to assist willing buyers in purchasing available water supplies from willing sellers, and to undertake studies of potential facilities to mitigate effects of a recurrence of drought and make recommendations to President and Congress evaluating potential undertakings, authorized Secretary to defer, without penalty, the 1977 installment payments on charges owed the United States and to make loans to irrigators for construction, management, conservation activities, or acquisition and transportation of water, appropriated $100,000,000 to carry out provisions of this Act and specified the availability of such funds for expenditures, directed Secretary, not later than May 1, 1978, to provide President and Congress a complete report on expenditures and accomplishments, and provided that authorities conferred by this Act terminate on Nov. 30, 1977.

Executive Documents

Transfer of Functions

For transfer of functions of other officers, employees, and agencies of Department of the Interior, with certain exceptions, to Secretary of the Interior, with power to delegate, see Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1950, §§1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3174, 64 Stat. 1262, set out under section 1451 of this title.

§503. "Unusual or emergency conditions" defined

The term "unusual or emergency conditions", as used in section 502 of this title, shall be construed to mean canal bank failures, generator failures, damage to transmission lines; or other physical failures or damage, or acts of God, or of the public enemy, fires, floods, drought, epidemics, strikes, or freight embargoes, or conditions, causing or threatening to cause interruption in water or power service.

(June 26, 1948, ch. 676, §2, 62 Stat. 1052.)

§504. Rehabilitation and betterment of Federal reclamation projects, including small reclamation projects; return of costs; interest; definitions; performance of work

Expenditures of funds hereafter specifically appropriated for rehabilitation and betterment of any project constructed under authority of the Small Reclamation Projects Act (Act of August 6, 1956, 70 Stat. 1044, and Acts amendatory thereof and supplementary thereto) [43 U.S.C. 422a et seq.] and of irrigation systems on projects governed by the Federal reclamation laws (Act of June 17, 1902, 32 Stat. 388, and Acts amendatory thereof or supplementary thereto), shall be made only after the organizations concerned shall have obligated themselves for the return thereof, in installments fixed in accordance with their ability to pay, as determined by the Secretary of the Interior in the light of their outstanding repayment obligations, and which shall, to the fullest practicable extent, be scheduled for return with their construction charge installments or otherwise scheduled as he shall determine: Provided, That repayment of such loans made for small reclamation projects shall include interest in accordance with the provisions of said Small Reclamation Projects Act. No such determination of the Secretary of the Interior shall become effective until the expiration of sixty days after it has been submitted to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives; except that, any such determination may become effective prior to the expiration of such sixty days in any case in which each such committee approves an earlier date and notifies the Secretary in writing, of such approval: Provided, That when Congress is not in session the Secretary's determination, if accompanied by a finding by the Secretary that substantial hardship to the water users concerned or substantial further injury to the project works will result, shall become effective when the chairman and ranking minority member of each such committee shall file with the Secretary their written approval of said findings. The term "rehabilitation and betterment", as used in this section, shall mean maintenance, including replacements, which cannot be financed currently, as otherwise contemplated by the Federal reclamation laws in the case of operation and maintenance costs, but shall not include construction, the costs of which are returnable, in whole or in part, through "construction charges" as that term is defined in section 485a(d) of this title. Such rehabilitation and betterment work may be performed by contract, by force-account, or, notwithstanding any other law and subject to such reasonable terms and conditions as the Secretary of the Interior shall deem appropriate for the protection of the United States, by contract entered into with the organization concerned whereby such organization shall perform such work.

(Oct. 7, 1949, ch. 650, §1, 63 Stat. 724; Mar. 3, 1950, ch. 47, 64 Stat. 11; Pub. L. 94–102, Oct. 3, 1975, 89 Stat. 485; Pub. L. 103–437, §16(c), Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4594.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Amendments

1994—Pub. L. 103–437 substituted "Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House" for "Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Public Lands of the House".

1975—Pub. L. 94–102 required return of costs for small reclamation projects including interest payments.

1950—Act Mar. 3, 1950, struck out period at end of second sentence and inserted "; except that, any such determination may become effective prior to the expiration of such sixty days in any case in which each such committee approves an earlier date and notifies the Secretary in writing, of such approval: Provided, That when Congress is not in session the Secretary's determination, if accompanied by a finding by the Secretary that substantial hardship to the water users concerned or substantial further injury to the project works will result, shall become effective when the chairman and ranking minority member of each such committee shall file with the Secretary their written approval of said findings."

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Short Title

Act Oct. 7, 1949, ch. 650, 63 Stat. 724, which enacted this section and provisions set out below, is popularly known as the "Rehabilitation and Betterment Act of 1949".

Supplemental to Federal Reclamation Laws

Act Oct. 7, 1949, ch. 650, §2, 63 Stat. 725, provided that: "This Act [enacting this section] shall be deemed a supplement to the Federal reclamation laws."

§505. Drainage facilities and minor construction in irrigation works; contracts with repayment organizations; limitation on costs; submission of contract to Congress

Funds appropriated for the construction of irrigation works authorized to be undertaken pursuant to the Federal reclamation laws (Act of June 17, 1902, 32 Stat. 388, and Acts amendatory thereof or supplementary thereto), the Act of August 11, 1939 (53 Stat. 1418), as amended [16 U.S.C. 590y et seq.], or other Acts of Congress may, insofar as such funds are available for the construction of drainage facilities and other minor items, be utilized by the Secretary of the Interior to accomplish such work by contract, by force account or, notwithstanding any other law and subject only to such reasonable terms and conditions as the Secretary shall deem appropriate for the protection of the United States, by contract entered into with the repayment organization concerned whereby said organization shall perform such work: Provided, That in the event construction work to be accomplished by any one repayment organization, pursuant to contract with the United States, exceeds a total cost of $200,000, such contract shall not be executed by the Secretary prior to the expiration of sixty calendar days (which sixty days, however, shall not include days on which either the House of Representatives or the Senate is not in session because of an adjournment of more than three days to a day certain) from the date on which it has been submitted to the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate for reference to the appropriate Committees, except that such contract may be executed prior to expiration of such sixty days in any case in which both such Committees approve said contract and notify the Secretary in writing of such approval.

(June 13, 1956, ch. 382, 70 Stat. 274.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Act of August 11, 1939, referred to in text, is classified generally to subchapter II (§590y et seq.) of chapter 3C of Title 16, Conservation. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.

§505a. Definitions

In sections 505a to 505a–2 of this title:

(1) Asset

(A) In general

The term "asset" means any of the following assets that are used to achieve the mission of the Bureau to manage, develop, and protect water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner in the interest of the people of the United States:

(i) Capitalized facilities, buildings, structures, project features, power production equipment, recreation facilities, or quarters.

(ii) Capitalized and noncapitalized heavy equipment and other installed equipment.

(B) Inclusions

The term "asset" includes assets described in subparagraph (A) that are considered to be mission critical.

(2) Asset Management Report

The term "Asset Management Report" means—

(A) the annual plan prepared by the Bureau known as the "Asset Management Plan"; and

(B) any publicly available information relating to the plan described in subparagraph (A) that summarizes the efforts of the Bureau to evaluate and manage infrastructure assets of the Bureau.

(3) Major repair and rehabilitation need

The term "major repair and rehabilitation need" means major nonrecurring maintenance at a Reclamation facility, including maintenance related to the safety of dams, extraordinary maintenance of dams, deferred major maintenance activities, and all other significant repairs and extraordinary maintenance.

(Pub. L. 116–9, title VIII, §8601, Mar. 12, 2019, 133 Stat. 827.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Sections 505a to 505a–2 of this title, referred to in text, was in the original "this part", which was translated as reading "this subtitle", meaning subtitle G of title VIII of Pub. L. 116–9, which is classified generally to sections 505a to 505a–2 of this title, to reflect the probable intent of Congress. Subtitle G of title VIII of Pub. L. 116–9 does not contain parts.

§505a–1. Asset Management Report enhancements for reserved works

(a) In general

Not later than 2 years after March 12, 2019, the Secretary shall submit to Congress an Asset Management Report that—

(1) describes the efforts of the Bureau—

(A) to maintain in a reliable manner all reserved works at Reclamation facilities; and

(B) to standardize and streamline data reporting and processes across regions and areas for the purpose of maintaining reserved works at Reclamation facilities; and

(2) expands on the information otherwise provided in an Asset Management Report, in accordance with subsection (b).

(b) Infrastructure maintenance needs assessment

(1) In general

The Asset Management Report submitted under subsection (a) shall include—

(A) a detailed assessment of major repair and rehabilitation needs for all reserved works at all Reclamation projects; and

(B) to the maximum extent practicable, an itemized list of major repair and rehabilitation needs of individual Reclamation facilities at each Reclamation project.

(2) Inclusions

To the maximum extent practicable, the itemized list of major repair and rehabilitation needs under paragraph (1)(B) shall include—

(A) a budget level cost estimate of the appropriations needed to complete each item; and

(B) an assignment of a categorical rating for each item, consistent with paragraph (3).

(3) Rating requirements

(A) In general

The system for assigning ratings under paragraph (2)(B) shall be—

(i) consistent with existing uniform categorization systems to inform the annual budget process and agency requirements; and

(ii) subject to the guidance and instructions issued under subparagraph (B).

(B) Guidance

As soon as practicable after March 12, 2019, the Secretary shall issue guidance that describes the applicability of the rating system applicable under paragraph (2)(B) to Reclamation facilities.

(4) Public availability

Except as provided in paragraph (5), the Secretary shall make publicly available, including on the internet, the Asset Management Report required under subsection (a).

(5) Confidentiality

The Secretary may exclude from the public version of the Asset Management Report made available under paragraph (4) any information that the Secretary identifies as sensitive or classified, but shall make available to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a version of the report containing the sensitive or classified information.

(c) Updates

Not later than 2 years after the date on which the Asset Management Report is submitted under subsection (a) and biennially thereafter, the Secretary shall update the Asset Management Report, subject to the requirements of section 505a–2(b)(2) of this title.

(d) Consultation

To the extent that such consultation would assist the Secretary in preparing the Asset Management Report under subsection (a) and updates to the Asset Management Report under subsection (c), the Secretary shall consult with—

(1) the Secretary of the Army (acting through the Chief of Engineers); and

(2) water and power contractors.

(Pub. L. 116–9, title VIII, §8602, Mar. 12, 2019, 133 Stat. 827.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Definition of "Secretary"

Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior, see section 2 of Pub. L. 116–9, set out as a note under section 1 of Title 16, Conservation.

§505a–2. Asset Management Report enhancements for transferred works

(a) In general

The Secretary shall coordinate with the non-Federal entities responsible for the operation and maintenance of transferred works in developing reporting requirements for Asset Management Reports with respect to major repair and rehabilitation needs for transferred works that are similar to the reporting requirements described in section 505a–1(b) of this title.

(b) Guidance

(1) In general

After considering input from water and power contractors of the Bureau, the Secretary shall develop and implement a rating system for transferred works that incorporates, to the maximum extent practicable, the rating system for major repair and rehabilitation needs for reserved works developed under section 505a–1(b)(3) of this title.

(2) Updates

The ratings system developed under paragraph (1) shall be included in the updated Asset Management Reports under section 505a–1(c) of this title.

(Pub. L. 116–9, title VIII, §8603, Mar. 12, 2019, 133 Stat. 828.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Definition of "Secretary"

Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior, see section 2 of Pub. L. 116–9, set out as a note under section 1 of Title 16, Conservation.