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Show 143 Funds Congressional practice is to appropriate annually lump sums "for the construction and maintenance of certain public works on rivers and harbors for flood control, and for other pur- poses." 91 Such funds are declared to "remain available until expended."92 Generally, such funds are also available for detailed surveys and for preparing plans and specifications necessary for the construction of flood-control projects.93 But recent appropria- tion acts have contained an admonition that expenditures of funds for surveys "shall not be construed as a commitment of the Government to the construction of any project."94 More- over, it should be noted that Congress in 1941 authorized "all appropriations" necessary for operation and maintenance of flood-control works authorized to be operated and maintained by the United States.95 Contributions and Advances.-In addition to moneys ob- tained under such appropriations, funds may otherwise be made available for flood-control work under specific statutory pro- visions. For example, the Secretary may receive contributions from states and their political subdivisions, to be expended in connection with federal funds for any authorized flood- control project whenever such work and expenditure are deemed by him on recommendation of the Chief of Engineers to be "advantageous in the public interest."96 Similarly, the Secretary is empowered to receive funds advanced by states and their political subdivisions and expend the same "in the immediate prosecution" of an authorized flood-control project.97 Such advances must be repaid without interest from appropriations provided by Congress for flood-control works, w See, e. g., Act of June 25,1948, § 1, 62 Stat. 1019,1022. "Id. "Id. "Id. 88 Act of August 18, 1941, § 10, 55 Stat. 638, 651, 33 U. S. O. 701f-l note following. "Act of June 22, 1936, § 5, 49 Stat. 1570, as added by Act of July 19, 1937, § 1,50 Stat. 515, 518, 33 U. S. C. 701h. w Act of October 15,1940, 54 Stat. 1176, 33 XL S. C. 701h-l. W1611-51^------11 |