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Show 197 these provisions were existing Army projects which provide con- servation storage for irrigation purposes. Prosecution of Projects.-After project authorization but before initiation of construction, certain preparatory work must be accomplished, such as the preparation of plans and specifications. Congress appropriates funds expressly for this purpose.268 In the 1902 Act, express provision was made for the letting of "contracts for the construction" of irrigation projects "in such portions or sections as it may be practicable to construct and complete as parts of the whole project," providing funds are available.264 The prevailing practice of the Bureau is to let contracts on competitive bids for construction of projects.265 And appropriation statutes sometimes place a limit on the amount expendable for construction work by "force account or on a hired-labor basis." "•• A number of provisions implement or regulate activities re- lating to prosecution of projects. For example, the 1902 statute authorizes the acquisition of necessary rights or prop- erty by purchase or by condemnation.267 This provision has been held to permit acquisition of an incomplete irrigation system to be used in connection with a federal project.268 But it does not authorize the expense of procuring options to pur- chase rights-of-way, water rights, or lands.269 The 1939 Reclamation Project Act has more elaborate provi- sions. It authorizes acquisition of lands or interests therein for "relocation of highways, roadways, railroads, telegraph, telephone, or electric transmission lines, or other properties *s See, e. g., the appropriation under "General Investigations" for "formu- lating plans and preparing designs and specifications for authorized Federal reclamation projects or parts thereof prior to appropriations for construc- tion." Act of September 6,1950, ch. VII, § 101, 64 Stat. 595, -. ** Act of June 17,1902, § 4,32 Stat. 388, 389,43 U. S. C. 419. 265 See Annual Report of the Secretary of the Interior, p. 7 (1949). See also 84 L. D. 567. ** See, e. g., Act of September 6,1950, ch. VII, title I, 64 Stat. 595, -. sw Act of June 17,1902, § 7, 32 Stat. 388, 389, 43 U. S. C. 421. 2M Opinion of Asst. Attorney General, January 6,1906, 34 L. D. 351. 288 9 Comp. Gen. 569 (1903). |