SUBCHAPTER XI–A—RECLAMATION SAFETY OF DAMS
§506. Authority of Secretary to make modifications
In order to preserve the structural safety of Bureau of Reclamation dams and related facilities the Secretary of the Interior is authorized to perform such modifications as he determines to be reasonably required. Said performance of work shall be in accordance with the Federal reclamation laws (Act of June 17, 1902, 32 Stat. 388, and Acts amendatory or supplementary thereto).
(Pub. L. 95–578, §2, Nov. 2, 1978, 92 Stat. 2471.)
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.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Short Title of 1984 Amendment
Pub. L. 98–404, §1, Aug. 28, 1984, 98 Stat. 1481, provided in part: "That this Act [amending sections 508 and 509 of this title] may be cited as 'The Reclamation Safety of Dams Act Amendments of 1984'."
Short Title of 1978 Amendment
Pub. L. 95–578, §1, Nov. 2, 1978, 92 Stat. 2471, provided: "That this Act [enacting this subchapter and amending section 1511 of this title] shall be cited as the 'Reclamation Safety of Dams Act of 1978'."
Facilities Included Within Scope of Reclamation Safety of Dams Act of 1978
Pub. L. 95–578, §12, as added by Pub. L. 98–404, §1(4), Aug. 28, 1984, 98 Stat. 1482, provided that: "Included within the scope of this Act [this subchapter] are Fish Lake, Four Mile, Ochoco, Savage Rapids Diversion and Warm Springs Dams, Oregon; Como Dam, Montana; Little Wood River Dam, Idaho; and related facilities which have been made a part of a Federal reclamation project by previous Acts of Congress. Coolidge Dam, San Carlos Irrigation Project, Arizona, shall also be included within the scope of this Act."
§507. Construction for dam safety
Except as provided in section 509b of this title, construction authorized by this subchapter shall be for the purposes of dam safety and not for the specific purposes of providing additional conservation storage capacity or of developing benefits over and above those provided by the original dams and reservoirs. Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed to reduce the amount of project costs allocated to reimbursable purposes heretofore authorized.
(Pub. L. 95–578, §3, Nov. 2, 1978, 92 Stat. 2471; Pub. L. 114–113, div. D, title II, §203(1), Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 2406.)
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2015—Pub. L. 114–113 substituted "Except as provided in section 509b of this title, construction" for "Construction".
§508. Costs incurred in the modification of structures
(a) Costs resulting from age and normal deterioration or lack of maintenance of structures
Costs heretofore or hereafter incurred in the modification of structures under this subchapter, the cause of which results from age and normal deterioration of the structure or from nonperformance of reasonable and normal maintenance of the structure by the operating entity shall be considered as project costs and will be allocated to the purposes for which the structure was authorized initially to be constructed and will be reimbursable as provided by existing law.
(b) Nonreimbursable costs resulting from new hydrologic or seismic data or changes in criteria
With respect to the $100,000,000 authorized to be appropriated in the Reclamation Safety of Dams Act of 1978 [43 U.S.C. 509], costs heretofore or hereafter incurred in the modification of structures under this subchapter, the cause of which results from new hydrologic or seismic data or changes in state-of-the-art criteria deemed necessary for safety purposes shall be nonreimbursable and nonreturnable under the Federal Reclamation law.
(c) Reimbursement of certain modification costs
With respect to the additional amounts authorized to be appropriated by section 509 of this title, costs incurred in the modification of structures under this subchapter, the cause of which results from new hydrologic or seismic data or changes in state-of-the-art criteria deemed necessary for safety purposes, shall be reimbursed to the extent provided in this subsection.
(1) Fifteen percent of such costs shall be allocated to the authorized purposes of the structure, except that in the case of Jackson Lake Dam, Minidoka Project, Idaho-Wyoming, such costs shall be allocated in accordance with the allocation of operation and maintenance charges.
(2) Costs allocated to irrigation water service and capable of being repaid by the irrigation water users shall be reimbursed within 50 years of the year in which the work undertaken pursuant to this subchapter is substantially complete. Costs allocated to irrigation water service which are beyond the water users' ability to pay shall be reimbursed in accordance with existing law.
(3) Costs allocated to recreation or fish and wildlife enhancement shall be reimbursed in accordance with the Federal Water Project Recreation Act (79 Stat. 213), as amended [16 U.S.C. 460l–12 et seq.].
(4) Costs allocated to the purpose of municipal, industrial, and miscellaneous water service, commercial power, and the portion of recreation and fish and wildlife enhancement costs reimbursable under the Federal Water Project Recreation Act [16 U.S.C. 460l–12 et seq.], shall be repaid within 50 years with interest. The interest rate used shall be determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, taking into consideration average market yields on outstanding marketable obligations of the United States with remaining periods to maturity comparable to the applicable reimbursement period during the month preceding the fiscal year in which the costs are incurred. To the extent that more than one interest rate is determined pursuant to the preceding sentence, the Secretary of the Treasury shall establish an interest rate at the weighted average of the rates so determined.
(d) Contracts for return of costs
The Secretary is authorized to negotiate appropriate contracts with project beneficiaries providing for the return of reimbursable costs under this subchapter: Provided, however, That no contract entered into pursuant to this subchapter shall be deemed to be a new or amended contract for the purposes of section 390cc(a) of this title.
(e) Cost containment; modification status
(1) During the construction of the modification, the Secretary shall consider cost containment measures recommended by a project beneficiary that has elected to consult with the Bureau of Reclamation on a modification.
(2) The Secretary shall provide to project beneficiaries on a periodic basis notice regarding the costs and status of the modification.
(Pub. L. 95–578, §4, Nov. 2, 1978, 92 Stat. 2471; Pub. L. 98–404, §1(1), (2), Aug. 28, 1984, 98 Stat. 1481; Pub. L. 106–377, §1(a)(2) [title II], Oct. 27, 2000, 114 Stat. 1441, 1441A-67; Pub. L. 107–117, div. B, §503(1), Jan. 10, 2002, 115 Stat. 2308; Pub. L. 108–439, §§1(a), 2(a), Dec. 3, 2004, 118 Stat. 2627.)
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The $100,000,000 authorized to be appropriated in the Reclamation Safety of Dams Act of 1978, referred to in subsec. (b), probably refers to the authorization originally contained in section 509 of this title. See 1984 Amendment note set out under section 509 of this title.
The Federal Reclamation law, referred to in subsec. (b), probably means act June 17, 1902, ch. 1093, 32 Stat. 388, and Acts amendatory thereof and supplementary thereto. See section 506 of this title. Act June 17, 1902, popularly known as the Reclamation Act, is classified generally to this chapter. For complete classification of act June 17, 1902, to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 371 of this title and Tables.
The Federal Water Project Recreation Act, referred to in subsec. (c)(3), (4), is Pub. L. 89–72, July 9, 1965, 79 Stat. 213, which is classified principally to part C (§460l–12 et seq.) of subchapter LXIX of chapter 1 of Title 16, Conservation. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 460l–12 of Title 16 and Tables.
Amendments
2004—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 108–439, §1(a), inserted "Reimbursement of certain modification costs" as heading and substituted "With respect to the additional amounts authorized to be appropriated by section 509 of this title" for "With respect to the additional $650,000,000 authorized to be appropriated in The Reclamation Safety of Dams Act Amendments of 1984, and the additional $95,000,000 further authorized to be appropriated by amendments to that Act in 2000, and the additional $32,000,000 further authorized to be appropriated by amendments to the Act in 2001" in introductory provisions.
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 108–439, §2(a), added subsec. (e).
2002—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 107–117 inserted "and the additional $32,000,000 further authorized to be appropriated by amendments to the Act in 2001," after "2000," in introductory provisions.
2000—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 106–377 inserted "and the additional $95,000,000 further authorized to be appropriated by amendments to that Act in 2000," after "1984," in introductory provisions.
1984—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 98–404, §1(1), substituted "With respect to the $100,000,000 authorized to be appropriated in the Reclamation Safety of Dams Act of 1978, costs" for "Costs".
Subsecs. (c), (d). Pub. L. 98–404, §1(2), added subsecs. (c) and (d).
§509. Authorization of appropriations; report to Congress
There are hereby authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 1979 and ensuing fiscal years such sums as may be necessary and, effective October 1, 1983, not to exceed an additional $650,000,000 (October 1, 1983, price levels), and, effective October 1, 2000, not to exceed an additional $95,000,000 (October 1, 2000, price levels), and, effective October 1, 2001, not to exceed an additional $32,000,000 (October 1, 2001, price levels), and, effective October 1, 2003, not to exceed an additional $540,000,000 (October 1, 2003, price levels), and effective October 1, 2015, not to exceed an additional $1,100,000,000 (October 1, 2003, price levels), plus or minus such amounts, if any, as may be justified by reason of ordinary fluctuations in construction costs as indicated by engineering cost indexes applicable to the types of construction involved herein, to carry out the provisions of this subchapter to remain available until expended if so provided by the appropriations Act: Provided, That no funds exceeding $20,000,000 (October 1, 2003, price levels), as adjusted to reflect any ordinary fluctuations in construction costs indicated by applicable engineering cost indexes, shall be obligated for carrying out actual construction to modify an existing dam under authority of this subchapter prior to 30 calendar days from the date that the Secretary has transmitted a report on such existing dam to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate. The report required to be submitted by this section will consist of a finding by the Secretary of the Interior to the effect that modifications are required to be made to insure the safety of an existing dam. Such finding shall be accompanied by a technical report containing information on the need for structural modification, the corrective action deemed to be required, alternative solutions to structural modification that were considered, the estimated cost of needed modifications, and environmental impacts if any resulting from the implementation of the recommended plan of modification. For modification expenditures between $1,800,000 and $20,000,000 (October 1, 2015, price levels), the Secretary of the Interior shall, at least 30 days before the date on which the funds are expended, submit written notice of the expenditures to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate that provides a summary of the project, the cost of the project, and any alternatives that were considered.
(Pub. L. 95–578, §5, Nov. 2, 1978, 92 Stat. 2471; Pub. L. 98–404, §1(3), Aug. 28, 1984, 98 Stat. 1482; Pub. L. 106–377, §1(a)(2) [title II], Oct. 27, 2000, 114 Stat. 1441, 1441A-67; Pub. L. 107–117, div. B, §503(2), Jan. 10, 2002, 115 Stat. 2308; Pub. L. 108–439, §1(b), Dec. 3, 2004, 118 Stat. 2627; Pub. L. 114–113, div. D, title II, §204, Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 2406.)
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2015—Pub. L. 114–113, §204(b), in proviso, substituted "$20,000,000" for "$1,250,000" and "Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate" for "Congress" and inserted at end "For modification expenditures between $1,800,000 and $20,000,000 (October 1, 2015, price levels), the Secretary of the Interior shall, at least 30 days before the date on which the funds are expended, submit written notice of the expenditures to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate that provides a summary of the project, the cost of the project, and any alternatives that were considered."
Pub. L. 114–113, §204(a), which directed insertion of "and effective October 1, 2015, not to exceed an additional $1,100,000,000 (October 1, 2003, price levels)," after "(October 1, 2003, price levels)," in first sentence, was executed by making the insertion after "(October 1, 2003, price levels)," first time appearing to reflect the probable intent of Congress.
2004—Pub. L. 108–439 inserted "and, effective October 1, 2003, not to exceed an additional $540,000,000 (October 1, 2003, price levels)," after "(October 1, 2001, price levels)," and substituted "$1,250,000 (October 1, 2003, price levels), as adjusted to reflect any ordinary fluctuations in construction costs indicated by applicable engineering cost indexes," for "$750,000".
2002—Pub. L. 107–117 inserted "and, effective October 1, 2001, not to exceed an additional $32,000,000 (October 1, 2001, price levels)," after "(October 1, 2000, price levels),".
2000—Pub. L. 106–377 inserted "and, effective October 1, 2000, not to exceed an additional $95,000,000 (October 1, 2000, price levels)," after "(October 1, 1983, price levels)," and substituted "30 calendar days" for "sixty days (which sixty days 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 calendar days to a day certain)".
1984—Pub. L. 98–404 substituted "and, effective October 1, 1983, not to exceed an additional $650,000,000 (October 1, 1983, price levels), plus or minus such amounts, if any, as may be justified by reason of ordinary fluctuations in construction costs as indicated by engineering cost indexes applicable to the types of construction involved herein, to carry out the provisions of this subchapter to remain available until expended if so provided by the appropriations Act: Provided, That no funds exceeding $750,000" for ", but not to exceed $100,000,000, to carry out the provisions of this subchapter of this title to remain available until expended if so provided by the appropriations Act: Provided, That no funds".
§509a. Project beneficiaries
(a) Notice of modification
On identifying a Bureau of Reclamation facility for modification, the Secretary shall provide to the project beneficiaries written notice—
(1) describing the need for the modification and the process for identifying and implementing the modification; and
(2) summarizing the administrative and legal requirements relating to the modification.
(b) Consultation
The Secretary shall—
(1) provide project beneficiaries an opportunity to consult with the Bureau of Reclamation on the planning, design, and construction of the proposed modification; and
(2) in consultation with project beneficiaries, develop and provide timeframes for the consultation described in paragraph (1).
(c) Alternatives
(1) Prior to submitting the reports required under section 509 of this title, the Secretary shall consider any alternative submitted in writing, in accordance with the timeframes established under subsection (b), by a project beneficiary that has elected to consult with the Bureau of Reclamation on a modification.
(2) The Secretary shall provide to the project beneficiary a timely written response describing proposed actions, if any, to address the recommendation.
(3) The response of the Secretary shall be included in the reports required by section 509 of this title.
(d) Waiver
The Secretary may waive 1 or more of the requirements of subsections (a), (b), and (c), if the Secretary determines that implementation of the requirement could have an adverse impact on dam safety or security.
(Pub. L. 95–578, §5A, as added Pub. L. 108–439, §2(b), Dec. 3, 2004, 118 Stat. 2627.)
§509b. Additional project benefits through the construction of new or supplementary works
Notwithstanding section 507 of this title, if the Secretary, in her judgment, determines that additional project benefits, including but not limited to additional conservation storage capacity, are necessary and in the interests of the United States and the project and are feasible and not inconsistent with the purposes of this subchapter, the Secretary is authorized to develop additional project benefits through the construction of new or supplementary works on a project in conjunction with the Secretary's activities under section 506 of this title and subject to the conditions described in the feasibility study, provided a cost share agreement related to the additional project benefits is reached among non-Federal and Federal funding participants and the costs associated with developing the additional project benefits are allocated exclusively among beneficiaries of the additional project benefits and repaid consistent with all provisions of Federal Reclamation law (the Act of June 17, 1902, 43 U.S.C. 371 et seq.) and acts supplemental to and amendatory of that Act.
(Pub. L. 95–578, §5B, as added Pub. L. 114–113, div. D, title II, §203(2), Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 2406.)
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Act of June 17, 1902, referred to in text, is act June 17, 1902, ch. 1093, 32 Stat. 388, 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.