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Show 113 waters.215 In large measure, protective legislation since then has been confined to relatively minor modifications of the requirements of the 1899 Act. Bridges.-The 1899 statute makes it unlawful to construct any bridge over navigable waters of the United States without the consent of Congress and the approval of plans by the Chief of Engineers and the Secretary.216 Bridges may be built under state authority over waterways, the navigable portions of which lie wholly within a single state, provided the location and plans are first approved by the Chief of Engineers and the Secretary.217 A 1906 statute augments the foregoing restriction by specify- ing conditions applicable to the construction and maintenance of bridges thereafter authorized by Congress.218 These con- ditions include provisions concerning the transmission of mails, troops, and munitions of war; reservation to the United States of the right to construct telephone and telegraph lines across the bridges; the use of the bridges by telegraph, telephone, and railroad companies; alteration of obstructive bridges; main- tenance of lights and signals; operation of draws; and pre- scription of reasonable tolls by the Secretary. In 1946, Congress enacted the General Bridge Act granting its blanket consent for the construction, maintenance, and operation of bridges over navigable waters of the United States, subject to stipulated conditions.219 Prior to construction, lo- cation and plans must be approved by the Chief of Engineers and the Secretary, who have authority to impose such condi- tions relating to maintenance and operation as they deem neces- sary "in the interests of public navigation." 22° In addi- ¦" Act of March 3,1899, §§ 9-20, 30 Stat. 1121,1151. 818 Act of March 3, 1899, § 9, 30 Stat. 1121, 1151, 33 U. S. C. 401. 817 This provision of the 1899 statute does not apply to bridges constructed under the 1946 General Bridge Act. See Act of August 2,1946, § 507,60 Stat. 812, 849, 33 U. S. C. 530. ™ Act of March 23,1906, 34 Stat. 84, 33 U. S. C. 491-498. 219 Act of August 2, 1946, 60 Stat. 812, 847, 33 U. S. O. 525 et seg. 120 Significant here is the fact that bridges constructed under the approval of the 1946 Act are expressly exempted from the conditions mandatory under the 1906 statute, several of which are unrelated to "public naviga- tion." 60 Stat. 847, 33 U. S. C. 525. |
