| OCR Text |
Show visions recognizing the interests of the affected States have been continued and strengthened. As time passed, provisions were added for com- bining irrigation with related uses of water. In 1906, for example, Congress made express pro- vision for the lease of surplus power at Federal reclamation projects. Similarly, the 1939 Rec- lamation Project Act provides generally for mul- tiple-purpose projects under reclamation laws, a few such projects having already been authorized in special acts such as the 1928 Boulder Canyon Project Act. Today, permissible purposes at reclamation projects include irrigation, power, municipal water supply or other miscellaneous purposes, navigation, flood control, and protection of fish and wildlife. Benefits from the last three are classed as nonreimbursable. Moreover, the 1944 Flood Control Act authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to establish irrigation works under Rec- lamation Law at Army dams designated by the Secretary of the Army. As reclamation projects began to serve multiple purposes, the investigatory responsibilities of the Bureau were broadened. Thus, it makes power- market surveys in connection with its statutory responsibility for disposal of power. Similarly, it conducts engineering, economic, and other in- vestigations ; land classifications; surveys concern- ing rehabilitation or financial adjustments of ex- isting projects; water studies; miscellaneous in- dependent or cooperative surveys; and still other determinations contemplated by various statutes. In these matters, the Bureau cooperates with international and interstate agencies, State and numerous other non-Federal agencies, and inter- departmental and intradepartmental agencies. A number of other provisions govern feasibility and authorization reports. Originally, determi- nation by the Secretary of the Interior as to project practicability achieved authorization, and he was required merely to make periodic advisory reports to Congress. A 1910 statute added a requirement for approval by the President of advance feasibility reports, the scope of which was broadened in 1924. The Reclamation Project Act of 1939 made sweeping changes in reporting and authorizing procedure applicable to new projects, new divi- sions, and supplemental works. Further modifi- cations were included in the 1944 Flood Control Act and in a 1946 wildlife measure. Project planning and feasibility reports must now be de- veloped in consultation with and submitted to the affected States, and also to the Secretary of the Army and the Fish and Wildlife Service. Fur- thermore, if flood control or navigation alloca- tions are to be made, consultation with the Chief of Engineers is required. Reports must cover engineering feasibility; cost estimates; reimbursable allocations to irrigation, power, and municipal water supply or other mis- cellaneous purposes; and nonreimbursable allo- cations to flood control, navigation, and preserva- tion and propagation of fish and wildlife. Rec- ommendations from affected States must be included. If total allocations equal estimated project costs, and if no adverse recommendations are made by the affected States or the afore-men- tioned agencies, the project is deemed authorized upon required transmittal of the report to the President and the Congress. Otherwise, it may be undertaken only on specific authorization by Congress. Cost allocations similar to the foregoing may be made for projects under construction or ap- propriated for, but not covered by a repayment contract when the 1939 act became effective. While the Bureau of Reclamation may let con- tracts on competitive bids, it also has authority to construct by force-account methods. Other authority implementing construction concerns highway and railroad relocations, exchange of water rights, and acquisition of property or rights by purchase or condemnation. While the original principle of repayment to the Reclamation Fund by irrigation water users has been retained, laws applying that principle have undergone many changes. Initially, in- dividual water-right contracts with users consti- tuted a lien on their lands. Charges fixed by public notice by the Secretary of the Interior were payable in 10 installments. A 1920 act author- ized a repayment period of 20 years. And in 1926 a period of 40 years was authorized, to commence on publicly announced actual avail- 911609-50------22 287 |
