Contra Costa Canal Transfer Act

To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to convey certain land and facilities of the Central Valley Project. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Contra Costa Canal Transfer Act 2. Definitions In this Act: (1) Acquired land The term acquired land (A) the Bureau of Reclamation; (B) the Western Area Power Administration; and (C) the Department of Defense in the case of the Clayton Canal diversion traversing the Concord Naval Weapons Station. (2) Contra Costa Canal (A) In general The term Contra Costa Canal (B) Inclusions The term Contra Costa Canal (C) Exclusion The term Contra Costa Canal (3) Contra Costa Canal Agreement The term Contra Costa Canal Agreement (4) Contracts The term contracts (5) District The term District (6) Rock Slough fish screen facility (A) In general The term Rock Slough fish screen facility (B) Inclusions The term Rock Slough fish screen facility Public Law 102–575 (7) Rock Slough fish screen facility title transfer agreement The term Rock Slough fish screen facility title transfer agreement (A) determine the legal, institutional, and financial terms surrounding the transfer of the Rock Slough fish screen facility; and (B) ensure the continued safe and reliable operations of the Rock Slough fish screen facility. (8) Secretary The term Secretary 3. Conveyance of land and facilities (a) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, in consideration for the District assuming from the United States all liability for the administration, operation, maintenance, and replacement of the Contra Costa Canal, consistent with the terms and conditions set forth in the Contra Costa Canal Agreement and subject to valid existing rights and existing recreation agreements between the Bureau of Reclamation and the East Bay Regional Park District for Contra Loma Regional Park and other local agencies within the Contra Costa Canal, the Secretary shall offer to convey and assign to the District— (1) all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to— (A) the Contra Costa Canal; and (B) the acquired land; and (2) all interests reserved and developed as of the date of enactment of this Act for the Contra Costa Canal in the acquired land, including existing recreation agreements between the Bureau of Reclamation and the East Bay Regional Park District for Contra Loma Regional Park and other local agencies within the Contra Costa Canal. (b) Rock Slough fish screen facility (1) In general The Secretary shall convey and assign to the District all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to the Rock Slough fish screen facility pursuant to the Rock Slough fish screen facility title transfer agreement. (2) Cooperation No later than 180 days after the conveyance of the Contra Costa Canal, the Secretary and the District shall enter into good faith negotiations to accomplish the conveyance and assignment under paragraph (1). (c) Payment of costs The District shall pay to the Secretary any administrative and real estate transfer costs incurred by the Secretary in carrying out the conveyances and assignments under subsections (a) and (b), including the cost of any boundary survey, title search, cadastral survey, appraisal, and other real estate transaction required for the conveyances and assignments. (d) Compliance with environmental laws (1) In general Before carrying out the conveyances and assignments under subsections (a) and (b), the Secretary shall comply with all applicable requirements under— (A) the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 (B) the Endangered Species Act of 1973 ( 16 U.S.C. 1531 (C) any other law applicable to the Contra Costa Canal or the acquired land. (2) Effect Nothing in this Act modifies or alters any obligations under— (A) the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 (B) the Endangered Species Act of 1973 ( 16 U.S.C. 1531 4. Relationship to existing Central Valley Project contracts (a) In general Nothing in this Act affects— (1) the application of the reclamation laws to water delivered to the District pursuant to any contract with the Secretary; or (2) subject to subsection (b), the contracts. (b) Amendments to contracts The Secretary and the District may modify the contracts as necessary to comply with this Act. (c) Liability (1) In general Except as provided in paragraph (2), the United States shall not be liable for damages arising out of any act, omission, or occurrence relating to the Contra Costa Canal or the acquired land. (2) Exception The United States shall continue to be liable for damages caused by acts of negligence committed by the United States or by any employee or agent of the United States before the date of the conveyance and assignment under section 3(a), consistent with chapter 171 Federal Tort Claims Act (3) Limitation Nothing in this Act increases the liability of the United States beyond the liability provided under chapter 171 Federal Tort Claims Act 5. Report If the conveyance and assignment authorized by section 3(a) is not completed by the date that is 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that— (1) describes the status of the conveyance and assignment; (2) describes any obstacles to completing the conveyance and assignment; and (3) specifies an anticipated date for completion of the conveyance and assignment.

Summary: Contra Costa Canal Transfer Act This bill directs the Department of the Interior, in consideration for the Contra Costa Water District, California, assuming all liability for the Contra Costa Canal, to offer to convey to the district all U.S. interest in the canal and associated land. Upon agreement between Interior and the district regarding safe and reliable operations of the Rock Slough fish screen facility, Interior shall convey to the district all U.S. interest in the facility.