SUBCHAPTER I—PROGRAMS DOWNSTREAM FROM IMPERIAL DAM

§1571. Water quality improvement

(a) Authority to proceed with program

The Secretary of the Interior, hereinafter referred to as the "Secretary", is authorized and directed to proceed with a program of works of improvement for the enhancement and protection of the quality of water available in the Colorado River for use in the United States and the Republic of Mexico, and to enable the United States to comply with its obligations under the agreement with Mexico of August 30, 1973 (Minute No. 242 of the International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico), concluded pursuant to the Treaty of February 3, 1944 (TS 994), in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

(b) Desalting complexes and plants

(1) The Secretary is authorized to construct, operate, and maintain a desalting complex, including (1) a desalting plant to reduce the salinity of drain water from the Wellton-Mohawk division of the Gila project, Arizona (hereinafter referred to as the division), including a pretreatment plant for settling, softening, and filtration of the drain water to be desalted; (2) the necessary appurtenant works including the intake pumping plant system, product waterline, power transmission facilities, and permanent operating facilities; (3) the necessary extension in the United States and Mexico of the existing bypass drain to carry the reject stream from the desalting plant and other drainage waters to the Santa Clara Slough in Mexico, with the part in Mexico, subject to arrangements made pursuant to subsection (d); (4) replacement of the metal flume in the existing main outlet drain extension with a concrete siphon; (5) reduction of the quantity of irrigation return flows through acquisition of lands to reduce the size of the division, and irrigation efficiency improvements to minimize return flows; (6) acquire on behalf of the United States such lands or interest in lands in the Painted Rock Reservoir as may be necessary to operate the project in accordance with the obligations of Minute No. 242, and (7) all associated facilities including roads, railroad spur, and transmission lines.

(2)(A) The desalting plant shall be designed to treat approximately one hundred and twenty-nine million gallons a day of drain water using advanced technology commercially available. The plant shall effect recovery initially of not less than 70 per centum of the drain water as product water, and shall effect reduction of not less than 90 per centum of the dissolved solids in the feed water. The Secretary shall use sources of electric power supply for the desalting complex that will not diminish the supply of power to preference customers from Federal power systems operated by the Secretary.

(B) The Secretary is authorized to use electrical power and energy available from the Navajo Generating Station which is in excess of the Central Arizona Project pumping requirements for the purpose of supplying power and energy requirements of the desalting plant and protective pumping well field constructed pursuant to this subchapter: Provided, That revenues credited to the Lower Colorado River Basin Development Fund shall not be diminished below those amounts which would have accrued had the power been marketed at the rate determined by the Secretary of Energy for the sale of power from the Navajo Generating Station to utilities and public entities, as a result of the use of power and energy for the desalting, protective pumping works, and other uses authorized by law, and that power and energy from the Navajo Generating Station shall be used first to meet the pumping requirements of the Central Arizona Project and after those needs have been met, for the desalting and protective pumping facilities constructed pursuant to this subchapter, and finally for other uses: Provided further, That prior to obtaining power from the Navajo Generating Station under the authority of this subsection, the Secretary shall complete an analysis of alternative sources of supply, including but not limited to the possibility of developing an agreement with the Republic of Mexico whereby the United States (or a non-Federal entity) would enter into contractual arrangements with Mexico for a sufficient supply of power to operate the desalting plant, the regulatory pumping fields and appurtenant facilities.

(C) Effective October 1, 1979, and to such extent and in such amounts as are provided in advance in appropriation Acts, the Secretary of the Interior is authorized to purchase supplemental power and energy as required for the purposes of supplying the power and energy requirements of the desalting plant and protective pumping well field.

(c) Replacement water studies

Replacement of the reject stream from the desalting plant, Colorado River waters used for the mitigation of fish and wildlife habitat losses and of any Wellton-Mohawk drainage water bypassed to the Santa Clara Slough to accomplish essential operation except at such times when there exists surplus water of the Colorado River under the terms of the Mexican Water Treaty of 1944, is recognized as a national obligation as provided in section 1512 of this title. Studies to identify feasible measures to provide adequate replacement water shall be completed not later than June 30, 1980. Said studies shall be limited to potential sources within the States of Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, and those portions of Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming which are within the natural drainage basin of the Colorado River. Measures found necessary to replace the reject stream from the desalting plant, Colorado River waters used for the mitigation of fish and wildlife habitat losses and any Wellton-Mohawk drainage bypassed to the Santa Clara Slough to accomplish essential operations may be undertaken independently of the national obligation set forth in section 1512 of this title.

(d) Advancement of funds for that portion of bypass drain within Mexico

The Secretary is hereby authorized to advance funds to the United States section, International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC), for construction, operation, and maintenance by Mexico pursuant to Minute No. 242 of that portion of the bypass drain within Mexico. Such funds shall be transferred to an appropriate Mexican agency, under arrangements to be concluded by the IBWC providing for the construction, operation, and maintenance of such facility by Mexico.

(e) Desalted water exchange

Any desalted water not needed for the purposes of this subchapter may be exchanged at prices and under terms and conditions satisfactory to the Secretary and the proceeds therefrom shall be deposited in the General Fund of the Treasury. The city of Yuma, Arizona, shall have first right of refusal to any such water.

(f) Return flow reduction

For the purpose of reducing the return flows from the division to one hundred and seventy-five thousand acre-feet or less, annually, the Secretary is authorized to:

(1) Accelerate the cooperative program of Irrigation Management Services with the Wellton-Mohawk Irrigation and Drainage District, hereinafter referred to as the district, for the purpose of improving irrigation efficiency. The district shall bear its share of the cost of such program as determined by the Secretary.

(2) Acquire by purchase or through eminent domain or exchange, to the extent determined by him to be appropriate, lands or interests in lands to reduce the existing seventy-five thousand developed and undeveloped irrigable acres authorized by the Act of July 30, 1947 (61 Stat. 628), known as the Gila Reauthorization Act [43 U.S.C. 613 et seq.]. The initial reduction in irrigable acreage shall be limited to approximately ten thousand acres. If the Secretary determines that the irrigable acreage of the division must be reduced below sixty-five thousand acres of irrigable lands to carry out the purpose of this section, the Secretary is authorized, with the consent of the district, to acquire additional lands, as may be deemed by him to be appropriate.

(g) Disposal of acquired lands

The Secretary is authorized to dispose of the acquired lands and interests therein on terms and conditions satisfactory to him and meeting the objective of this chapter.

(h) Assistance to water users for installation of system improvements

The Secretary is authorized, either in conjunction with or in lieu of land acquisition, to assist water users in the division in installing system improvements, such as ditch lining, change of field layouts, automatic equipment, sprinkler systems and bubbler systems, as a means of increasing irrigation efficiencies: Provided, however, That all costs associated with the improvements authorized herein and allocated to the water users on the basis of benefits received, as determined by the Secretary, shall be reimbursed to the United States in amounts and on terms and conditions satisfactory to the Secretary.

(i) Contract amendment

The Secretary is authorized to amend the contract between the United States and the district dated March 4, 1952, as amended, to provide that—

(1) the portion of the existing repayment obligation owing to the United States allocable to irrigable acreage eliminated from the division for the purposes of this subchapter, as determined by the Secretary, shall be nonreimbursable; and

(2) if deemed appropriate by the Secretary, the district shall be given credit against its outstanding repayment obligation to offset any increase in operation and maintenance assessments per acre which may result from the district's decreased operation and maintenance base, all as determined by the Secretary.

(j) Acquisition of land for storage

The Secretary is authorized to acquire through the Corps of Engineers fee title to, or other necessary interests in, additional lands above the Painted Rock Dam in Arizona that are required for the temporary storage capacity needed to permit operation of the dam and reservoir in times of serious flooding in accordance with the obligations of the United States under Minute No. 242. No funds shall be expended for acquisition of land or interests therein until it is finally determined by a Federal court of competent jurisdiction that the Corps of Engineers presently lacks legal authority to use said lands for this purpose. Nothing contained in this subchapter nor any action taken pursuant to it shall be deemed to be a recognition or admission of any obligation to the owners of such land on the part of the United States or a limitation or deficiency in the rights or powers of the United States with respect to such lands or the operation of the reservoir.

(k) Transfer of funds

To the extent desirable to carry out subsections (f)(1) and (h), the Secretary may transfer funds to the Secretary of Agriculture as may be required for technical assistance to farmers, conduct of research and demonstrations, and such related investigations as are required to achieve higher on-farm irrigation efficiencies.

(l) Nonreimbursable costs

All cost associated with the desalting complex shall be nonreimbursable except as provided in subsections (f) and (h).

(Pub. L. 93–320, title I, §101, June 24, 1974, 88 Stat. 266; Pub. L. 96–336, §§1, 2, Sept. 4, 1980, 94 Stat. 1063.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Act of July 30, 1947 (61 Stat. 628), known as the Gila Reauthorization Act, referred to in subsec. (f)(2), is act July 30, 1947, ch. 382, 61 Stat. 628, which was classified generally to subchapter XXI (§613 et seq.) of chapter 12 of this title, and was omitted from the Code.

Amendments

1980—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 96–336, §1, designated existing provisions as subpar. (A), struck out requirement that all costs associated with the desalting plant be nonreimbursable, and added subpars. (B) and (C).

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 96–336, §2, included replacement water studies covering reject stream from the Colorado River waters used for the mitigation of fish and wildlife habitat losses.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Short Title

Pub. L. 93–320, §1, June 24, 1974, 88 Stat. 266, provided: "That this Act [enacting this chapter and amending sections 620d and 1543 of this title] may be cited as the 'Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act'."

§1572. Canal or canal lining

(a) Authorization of construction

To assist in meeting salinity control objectives of Minute No. 242 during an interim period, the Secretary is authorized to construct a new concrete-lined canal or, to line the presently unlined portion of the Coachella Canal of the Boulder Canyon project, California, from station 2 plus 26 to the beginning of siphon numbered 7, a length of approximately forty-nine miles. The United States shall be entitled to temporary use of a quantity of water, for the purpose of meeting the salinity control objectives of Minute No. 242, during an interim period, equal to the quantity of water conserved by constructing or lining the said canal. The interim period shall commence on completion of construction or lining said canal and shall end the first year that the Secretary delivers main stream Colorado River water to California in an amount less than the sum of the quantities requested by (1) the California agencies under contracts made pursuant to section 617d of this title, and (2) Federal establishments to meet their water rights acquired in California in accordance with the Supreme Court decree in Arizona against California (376 U.S. 340).

(b) Repayment

The charges for total construction shall be repayable without interest in equal annual installments over a period of forty years beginning in the year following completion of construction: Provided, That, repayment shall be prorated between the United States and the Coachella Valley County Water District, and the Secretary is authorized to enter into a repayment contract with Coachella Valley County Water District for that purpose. Such contract shall provide that annual repayment installments shall be nonreimbursable during the interim period, defined in subsection (a) and shall provide that after the interim period, said annual repayment installments or portions thereof, shall be paid by Coachella Valley County Water District.

(c) Acquisition of private lands

The Secretary is authorized to acquire by purchase, eminent domain, or exchange private lands or interests therein, as may be determined by him to be appropriate, within the Imperial Irrigation District on the Imperial East Mesa which receive, or which have been granted rights to receive, water from Imperial Irrigation District's capacity in the Coachella Canal. Costs of such acquisitions shall be nonreimbursable and the Secretary shall return such lands to the public domain. The United States shall not acquire any water rights by reason of this land acquisition.

(d) Credit to Imperial Irrigation District against final payments for relinquished capacity in Coachella Canal

The Secretary is authorized to credit Imperial Irrigation District against its final payments for certain outstanding construction charges payable to the United States on account of capacity to be relinquished in the Coachella Canal as a result of the canal lining program, all as determined by the Secretary: Provided, That, relinquishment of capacity shall not affect the established basis for allocating operation and maintenance costs of the main All-American Canal to existing contractors.

(e) Transfer of lands to Cocopah Tribe of Indians

The Secretary is authorized and directed to cede the following land to the Cocopah Tribe of Indians, subject to rights-of-way for existing levees, to be held in trust by the United States for the Cocopah Tribe of Indians:

Township 9 south, range 25 west of the Gila and Salt River meridian, Arizona;

Section 25: Lots 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, and 23;

Section 26: Lots 1, 12, 13, 14, and 15;

Section 27: Lot 3; and all accretion to the above described lands.

The Secretary is authorized and directed to construct three bridges, one of which shall be capable of accommodating heavy vehicular traffic, over the portion of the bypass drain which crosses the reservation of the Cocopah Tribe of Indians. The transfer of lands to the Cocopah Indian Reservation and the construction of bridges across the bypass drain shall constitute full and complete payment to said tribe for the rights-of-way required for construction of the bypass drain and electrical transmission lines for works authorized by this subchapter.

(Pub. L. 93–320, title I, §102, June 24, 1974, 88 Stat. 268.)

§1573. Construction and maintenance of well fields; land acquisition; land replacement; nonreimbursable costs

(a) The Secretary is authorized to:

(1) Construct, operate, and maintain, consistent with Minute No. 242, well fields capable of furnishing approximately one hundred and sixty thousand acre-feet of water per year for use in the United States and for delivery to Mexico in satisfaction of the 1944 Mexican Water Treaty.

(2) Acquire by purchase, eminent domain, or exchange, to the extent determined by him to be appropriate, approximately twenty-three thousand five hundred acres of lands or interests therein with approximately five miles of the Mexican border on the Yuma Mesa: Provided, however, That any such lands which are presently owned by the State of Arizona may be acquired or exchanged for Federal lands.

(3) Any lands removed from the jurisdiction of the Yuma Mesa Irrigation and Drainage District pursuant to clause (2) of this subsection which were available for use under the Gila Reauthorization Act (61 Stat. 628) [43 U.S.C. 613 et. seq.], shall be replaced with like lands within or adjacent to the Yuma Mesa division of the project. In the development of these substituted lands or any other lands within the Gila project, the Secretary may provide for full utilization of the Gila Gravity Main Canal in addition to contracted capacities.

(4) Effective October 1, 1979, and to such extent and in such amounts as are provided in advance in appropriation Acts, enter into contracts under the terms and conditions of the Act of June 17, 1902 (43 U.S.C. 371 et seq.) as amended and supplemented for the delivery of water from said well field to entities within the United States for municipal and industrial or irrigation purposes: Provided, That such contracts for municipal and industrial purposes shall contain terms and conditions as substantially provided in section 485h(c)(1) of this title, and that contracts for replacement irrigation water supplies to prevent damage to existing water users on privately developed lands include water charges no greater than if such water users had continued to pump their own wells without the United States lowering the water table and that the acreage limitation and related provisions of the Reclamation Law will not be applicable to such privately developed lands: Provided further, That no contract shall be entered which will impair the ability of the United States to continue to deliver to Mexico on the land boundary at San Luis and in the Limitrophe Section of the Colorado River downstream from Morelos Dam approximately one hundred and forty thousand acre-feet annually, consistent with the terms contained in Minute No. 242 of the IBWC.

(b) The cost of work provided for in this section, including delivery of water to Mexico, shall be nonreimbursable; except to the extent that the waters furnished are used in the United States.

(Pub. L. 93–320, title I, §103, June 24, 1974, 88 Stat. 269; Pub. L. 96–336, §3, Sept. 4, 1980, 94 Stat. 1063.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Gila Reauthorization Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(3), is act July 30, 1947, ch. 382, 61 Stat. 628, which was classified generally to subchapter XXI (§613 et seq.) of chapter 12 of this title, and was omitted from the Code.

Act of June 17, 1902, referred to in subsec. (a)(4), is act June 17, 1902, ch. 1093, 32 Stat. 388, popularly known as the Reclamation Act, which is classified generally to chapter 12 (§371 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 371 of this title and Tables.

The IBWC, referred to in subsec. (a)(4), is identified in section 1571 of this title.

Amendments

1980—Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 96–336 added par. (4).

§1574. Modification of projects

The Secretary is authorized to provide for modifications of the projects authorized by this subchapter to the extent he determines appropriate for purposes of meeting the international settlement objective of this subchapter at the lowest overall cost to the United States. No funds for any such modification shall be expended until the expiration of sixty days after the proposed modification has been submitted to the appropriate committees of the Congress, unless the Congress approves an earlier date by concurrent resolution. The Secretary shall notify the Governors of the Colorado River Basin States of such modifications.

(Pub. L. 93–320, title I, §104, June 24, 1974, 88 Stat. 270.)

§1575. Contract authority

The Secretary is authorized to enter into contracts that he deems necessary to carry out the provisions of this subchapter in advance of the appropriation of funds therefor.

(Pub. L. 93–320, title I, §105, June 24, 1974, 88 Stat. 270.)

§1575a. Administration and disposition of lands and constructed facilities; revenues credited to general fund of Treasury

The Secretary is hereby authorized to administer and dispose of lands and interests in lands acquired, and facilities constructed under this subchapter, and revenues received in connection with this authority shall be credited to the general fund of the Treasury.

(Pub. L. 93–320, title I, §106, as added Pub. L. 96–336, §4, Sept. 4, 1980, 94 Stat. 1064.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 106 of Pub. L. 93–320 was renumbered section 107 and is classified to section 1576 of this title.

§1576. Interagency cooperation

In carrying out the provisions of this subchapter, the Secretary shall consult and cooperate with the Secretary of State, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Secretary of Agriculture, and other affected Federal, State, and local agencies.

(Pub. L. 93–320, title I, §107, formerly §106, June 24, 1974, 88 Stat. 270; renumbered §107, Pub. L. 96–336, §4, Sept. 4, 1980, 94 Stat. 1064.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 107 of Pub. L. 93–320 was renumbered section 108 and is classified to section 1577 of this title.

§1577. Existing Federal laws not modified

Nothing in this chapter shall be deemed to modify the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 [42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.], the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended [33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.], or, except as expressly stated herein, the provisions of any other Federal law.

(Pub. L. 93–320, title I, §108, formerly §107, June 24, 1974, 88 Stat. 270; renumbered §108, Pub. L. 96–336, §4, Sept. 4, 1980, 94 Stat. 1064.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, referred to in text, is Pub. L. 91–190, Jan. 1, 1970, 83 Stat. 852, which is classified generally to chapter 55 (§4321 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 4321 of Title 42 and Tables.

The Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended, referred to in text, probably means act June 30, 1948, ch. 758, as amended generally by Pub. L. 92–500, §2, Oct. 18, 1972, 86 Stat. 816, which is classified generally to chapter 26 (§1251 et seq.) of Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1251 of Title 33 and Tables.

Prior Provisions

A prior section 108 of Pub. L. 93–320 was renumbered section 109 and is classified to section 1578 of this title.

§1578. Authorization of appropriations

There is hereby authorized to be appropriated the sum of $356,400,000 for the construction of the works and accomplishment of the purposes authorized in sections 1571, 1572, 1573, and 1579 of this title, of which $3,579,000 is authorized for mitigation of fish and wildlife losses associated with replacement of the Coachella Canal in California, and $6,960,000 is authorized for mitigation of fish and wildlife losses associated with the Desalting Complex Unit and the Protective and Regulatory Pumping Unit in Arizona, based on January 1979, prices plus or minus such amounts as may be justified by reason of ordinary fluctuation in construction costs involved therein, and such sums as may be required to operate and maintain such works and to provide for such modifications as may be made pursuant to section 1574 of this title. In order to provide for the utilization of significant improvements in desalinization technologies which may have been developed since the Bureau's evaluation, the Secretary is directed to evaluate such cost effective improvements and implement such improved designs into the plant operations when the evaluation indicates that cost savings will result: Provided, however, That no more than five percent of the amount authorized to be appropriated is used for these purposes. There is further authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to pay condemnation awards in excess of appraised values and to cover costs required in connection with the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 [42 U.S.C. 4601 et seq.].

(Pub. L. 93–320, title I, §109, formerly §108, June 24, 1974, 88 Stat. 270; renumbered §109 and amended Pub. L. 96–336, §§4, 5, Sept. 4, 1980, 94 Stat. 1064.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970, referred to in text, is Pub. L. 91–646, Jan. 2, 1971, 84 Stat. 1894, which is classified principally to chapter 61 (§4601 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 4601 of Title 42 and Tables.

Amendments

1980—Pub. L. 96–336, §5, substituted appropriations authorization of $356,400,000 to carry out sections 1571, 1572, 1573, and 1579 of this title for prior authorizations of $121,500,000 and $34,000,000 for purposes of sections 1571 and 1572, and 1573 of this title, and use of January 1979 for April 1973 price basis, authorized sums of $3,579,000 and $6,960,000 for mitigation of fish and wildlife losses in California and Arizona, and provided for cost savings desalinization plant operations limited to five percent of appropriations authorization.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1980 Amendment

Pub. L. 96–336, §5, Sept. 4, 1980, 94 Stat. 1064, provided that the amendment made by section 5 is effective Oct. 1, 1979.

§1579. Fish and wildlife habitat; mitigation of losses

Effective October 1, 1979, and to such extent and in such amounts as are provided in advance in appropriate ¹ Acts, in order to provide measures determined by the Secretary of the Interior to be appropriated to mitigate loss of fish and wildlife habitat associated with other measures taken under this subchapter:

(a) Appropriation of funds; acquisition and disposal of lands; facilities undertakings; funds restriction for non-Federal facilities

The Secretary is authorized to—

(1) acquire lands by purchase, eminent domain, or exchange;

(2) dispose of land, facilities, and equipment;

(3) construct, operate, maintain, and make replacements of facilities: Provided, however, That no funds will be provided for operation, maintenance, or replacement of non-Federal facilities.

(b) Nonreimbursable costs

All costs authorized by this section are nonreimbursable.

(Pub. L. 93–320, title I, §110, as added Pub. L. 96–336, §6, Sept. 4, 1980, 94 Stat. 1064.)

¹ So in original. Probably should be "appropriation".

§1580. Definitions

As used in this subchapter:

(a) Navajo Generating Station means—

(1) the United States entitlement to a portion of the output of power and energy from the Navajo Generating Station, Page, Arizona, pursuant to United States participation in that generating station;

(2) in the event that said United States entitlement is integrated with other generating facilities, then Navajo Generating Station means that amount of power and energy from the integrated system which is attributable to the United States Navajo entitlement;

(3) when the Navajo Generating Station is replaced at the end of its useful life or an alternative resource is established, then Navajo Generating Station means an amount of power and energy equivalent to the present United States entitlement from Navajo, from the replacement resource.

(b) All terms used herein that are defined in the Colorado River Compact shall have the meanings therein defined.

(Pub. L. 93–320, title I, §111, as added Pub. L. 96–336, §7, Sept. 4, 1980, 94 Stat. 1065.)