Union Calendar No. 446
105TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. R. 4389
[Report No. 105–785]
A BILL
To provide for the conveyance of various reclama-
tion project facilities to local water authorities,
and for other purposes.
OCTOBER 6, 1998
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Commit-
tee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and
ordered to be printed
IB
Union Calendar No. 446
105TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. R. 4389
[Report No. 105–785]
To provide for the conveyance of various reclamation project facilities to
local water authorities, and for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
AUGUST 4, 1998
Mr. DOOLITTLE introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Resources
OCTOBER 6, 1998
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole
House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic]
[For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on August 4, 1998]
A BILL
To provide for the conveyance of various reclamation project
facilities to local water authorities, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
TITLE I—SLY PARK DAM AND
RESERVOIR, CALIFORNIA
SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ‘‘Sly Park Unit Convey-
ance Act’’.
SEC. 102. DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of this title:
(1) The term ‘‘District’’ means the El Dorado Ir-
rigation District, a political subdivision of the State
of California that has its principal place of business
in the city of Placerville, El Dorado County, Califor-
nia.
(2) The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary of
the Interior.
(3) The term ‘‘Project’’ means all of the right,
title, and interest in and to the Sly Park Dam and
Reservoir, Camp Creek Diversion Dam and Tunnel,
and conduits and canals held by the United States
pursuant to or related to the authorization in the Act
entitled ‘‘An Act to authorize the American River
Basin Development, California, for irrigation and
reclamation, and for other purposes’’, approved Octo-
ber 14, 1949 (63 Stat. 852 chapter 690);
(B) shall complete the conveyance by not
later than 2 years after the date of the enactment
of this Act.
(3) ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS OF CONVEYANCE.—If
the Secretary fails to complete the conveyance under
this title before the applicable deadline under para-
graph (1) or (2), the full cost of administrative action
and environmental compliance for the conveyance
shall be borne by the Secretary. If the Secretary com-
pletes the conveyance before that deadline, 1⁄2 of such
cost shall be paid by the District.
SEC. 104. RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING OPERATIONS.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Nothing in this title shall be con-
strued as significantly expanding or otherwise changing the
use or operation of the Project from its current use and
operation.
(b) FUTURE ALTERATIONS.—If the District alters the
operations or uses of the Project it shall comply with all
applicable laws or regulations governing such changes at
that time (subject to section 105).
SEC. 105. RELATIONSHIP TO CERTAIN CONTRACT OBLIGA-
TIONS.
(a) PAYMENT OBLIGATIONS NOT AFFECTED.—The
conveyance of the Project under this title does not affect the
payment obligations of the District under the contract be-
tween the District and the Secretary numbered 14–06–200–
7734, as amended by contracts numbered 14–06–200–
4282A and 14–06–200–8536A.
(b) PAYMENT OBLIGATIONS EXTINGUISHED.—Provi-
sion of consideration by the District in accordance with sec-
tion 103(b) shall extinguish all payment obligations under
contract numbered 14–06–200–949IR1 between the District
and the Secretary.
SEC. 106. RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER LAWS.
(a) RECLAMATION LAWS.—Except as provided in sub-
section (b), upon conveyance of the Project under this title,
the Reclamation Act of 1902 (82 Stat. 388) and all Acts
amendatory thereof or supplemental thereto shall not apply
to the Project.
(b) PAYMENTS INTO THE CENTRAL VALLEY PROJECT
RESTORATION FUND.—The El Dorado Irrigation District
shall continue to make payments into the Central Valley
Project Restoration Fund for 31 years after the date of the
enactment of this Act. The District’s obligation shall be cal-
culated in the same manner as Central Valley Project water
contractors.
SEC. 107. LIABILITY.
Except as otherwise provided by law, effective on the
date of conveyance of the Project under this title, the United
States shall not be liable for damages of any kind arising
out of any act, omission, or occurrence based on its prior
ownership or operation of the conveyed property.
TITLE II—MINIDOKA PROJECT,
IDAHO
SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ‘‘Burley Irrigation Dis-
trict Conveyance Act’’.
SEC. 202. DEFINITIONS.
In this section:
(1) DISTRICT.—The term ‘‘District’’ means the
Burley Irrigation District, an irrigation district or-
ganized under the law of the State of Idaho.
(2) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means
the Secretary of the Interior.
(3) PROJECT.—The term ‘‘Project’’ means all of
the right, title, and interest in and to the Southside
Pumping Division of the Minidoka Project, Idaho, in-
cluding the water distribution system below the
headworks of the Minidoka Dam held in the name of
the United States for the benefit of, and for use on
land within, the District for which the allocable con-
struction costs have been fully repaid by the District.
SEC. 203. CONVEYANCE.
(a) IN GENERAL.—In consideration of the District ac-
cepting the obligations of the Federal Government for the
Project, and subject to the completion of payments by the
District required under subsection (c)(3), the Secretary
shall convey the Project and the water rights described in
subsection (b) to the District.
(b) WATER RIGHTS.—(1) Subject to subparagraphs
(B) and (C), the Secretary shall transfer to the District,
through an agreement among the District, the Minidoka Ir-
rigation District, and the Secretary, in accordance with
and subject to the law of the State of Idaho, all natural
flow, waste, seepage, return flow, and ground water rights
held in the name of the United States—
(A) for the benefit of the South Side Pumping
Division operated and maintained by the District;
(B) that are for use on lands within the District
or that are return flows for which the District may
receive credit against storage water used; and
(C) which include the rights set forth in con-
tracts between the United States and the District or
in the Decree of June 20, 1913, of the District Court
of the Fourth Judicial District of the State of Idaho,
in and for the County of Twin Falls, in the case of
Twin Falls Canal Company v. Charles N. Foster, et
al., and commonly referred to as the ‘‘Foster Decree’’.
(2) The transfer of the property interest of the United
States in Project water rights directed to be conveyed by
this title shall—
(A) neither enlarge nor diminish the respective
rights of either the Minidoka Irrigation District or
the District in such water rights, as described in con-
tracts between the District, Minidoka, and the United
States;
(B) not be exercised as to impair the integrated
operation of the Minidoka Project by the Secretary
pursuant to applicable Federal law;
(C) not affect any other water rights; and
(D) not result in any adverse impact on any
other project water user.
(c) DEADLINE.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—If no changes in Project oper-
ations are expected following the conveyance under
subsection (a), the Secretary shall complete the con-
veyance expeditiously, but not later than 180 days
after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(2) DEADLINE IF CHANGES IN OPERATIONS IN-
TENDED.—If the District intends to change Project
operations as a result of the conveyance under sub-
section (a), the Secretary—
(A) shall take into account those potential
changes for the purpose of completing any re-
quired environmental evaluation associated with
the conveyance; and
(B) shall complete the conveyance by not
later than 2 years after the date of the enactment
of this Act.
(3) ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS OF CONVEYANCE.—If
the Secretary fails to complete the conveyance under
this title before the applicable deadline under para-
graph (1) or (2), the full cost of administrative action
and environmental compliance for the conveyance
shall be borne by the Secretary. If the Secretary com-
pletes the conveyance before that deadline, 1⁄2 of such
cost shall be borne by the District.
SEC. 204. RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING OPERATIONS.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Nothing in this title shall be con-
strued as significantly expanding or otherwise changing the
use or operation of the Project from its current use and
operation.
(b) FUTURE ALTERATIONS.—If the District alters the
operations or uses of the Project it shall comply with all
applicable laws or regulations governing such changes at
that time (subject to section 205).
SEC. 205. RELATIONSHIP TO CERTAIN CONTRACT OBLIGA-
TIONS.
(a) SAVINGS.—Nothing in this title or any transfer
pursuant thereto shall affect the right of Minidoka Irriga-
tion District to the joint use of the gravity portion of the
Southside Canal, subject to compliance by the Minidoka Ir-
rigation District with the terms and conditions of a con-
tract between the District and Minidoka Irrigation District,
and any amendments or changes made by agreement of the
irrigation districts.
(b) ALLOCATION OF STORAGE SPACE.—The Secretary
shall provide an allocation to the District of storage space
in Minidoka Reservoir, American Falls Reservoir, and
Palisades Reservoir, as described in Burley Contract Nos.
14–06–100–2455 and 14–06–W–48, subject to the obligation
of Burley to continue to assume and satisfy its allocable
costs of operation and maintenance associated with the stor-
age facilities operated by the Bureau of Reclamation.
(c) PROJECT RESERVED POWER.—The Secretary shall
continue to provide the District with project reserved power
from the Minidoka Reclamation Power Plant, Palisades
Reclamation Power Plant, Black Canyon Reclamation
Power Plant, and Anderson Ranch Reclamation Power
Plant in accordance with the terms of the existing contracts,
including any renewals thereof as provided in such con-
tracts.
SEC. 206. LIABILITY.
Except as otherwise provided by law, effective on the
date of conveyance of the Project under this title, the United
States shall not be held liable for damages of any kind aris-
ing out of any act, omission, or occurrence based on its
prior ownership or operation of the conveyed property.
TITLE 
III—CARLSBAD 
IRRIGA-
TION PROJECT, NEW MEXICO
SEC. 301. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ‘‘Carlsbad Irrigation
Project Acquired Land Conveyance Act’’.
SEC. 302. DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of this title:
(1) The term ‘‘District’’ means the Carlsbad Irri-
gation District, a quasimunicipal corporation formed
under the laws of the State of New Mexico that has
its principal place of business in the city of Carlsbad,
Eddy County, New Mexico.
(2) The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary of
the Interior.
(3) The term ‘‘Project’’ means all right, title, and
interest in and to the lands (including the subsurface
and mineral estate) in Eddy County, New Mexico, de-
scribed as the acquired lands in section (7) of the Sta-
tus of Lands and Title Report: Carlsbad Project as re-
ported by the Bureau of Reclamation in 1978 and all
interests the United States holds in the irrigation and
drainage system of the Carlsbad Project and all relat-
ed ditch rider houses, maintenance shop and build-
ings, and Pecos River Flume.
SEC. 303. CONVEYANCE OF PROJECT.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subsection
(b), in consideration of the District accepting the obliga-
tions of the Federal Government for the Project, and subject
to the completion of payments by the District required
under subsection (c)(3), the Secretary shall convey the
Project to the District
(b) RETAINED TITLE.—The Secretary shall retain title
to the surface estate (but not the mineral estate) of such
Project lands which are located under the footprint of
Brantley and Avalon dams or any other Project dam or
reservoir diversion structure. The Secretary shall retain
storage and flow easements for any tracts located under the
maximum spillway elevations of Avalon and Brantley Res-
ervoirs.
(c) DEADLINE.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—If no changes in Project oper-
ations are expected following the conveyance under
subsection (a), the Secretary shall complete the con-
veyance expeditiously, but not later than 180 days
after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(2) DEADLINE IF CHANGES IN OPERATIONS IN-
TENDED.—If the District intends to change Project
operations as a result of the conveyance under sub-
section (a), the Secretary—
(A) shall take into account those potential
changes for the purpose of completing any re-
quired environmental evaluation associated with
the conveyance; and
(B) shall complete the conveyance by not
later than 2 years after the date of the enactment
of this Act.
(3) ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS OF CONVEYANCE.—If
the Secretary fails to complete the conveyance under
this title before the applicable deadline under para-
graph (1) or (2), the full cost of administrative action
and environmental compliance for the conveyance
shall be borne by the Secretary. If the Secretary com-
pletes the conveyance before that deadline, 1⁄2 of such
cost shall be paid by the District.
SEC. 304. RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING OPERATIONS.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Nothing in this title shall be con-
strued as significantly expanding or otherwise changing the
use and operation of the Project from its current use. The
Project shall continue to be managed and used by the Dis-
trict for the purposes for which the Project was authorized,
based on historic operations, and consistent with the man-
agement of other adjacent project lands.
(b) FUTURE ALTERATIONS.—If the District alters the
operations or uses of the Project, it shall comply with all
applicable laws or regulations governing such changes at
that time (subject to section 305).
SEC. 305. RELATIONSHIP TO CERTAIN CONTRACT OBLIGA-
TIONS.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subsection
(b), upon conveyance of the Project under this title the Dis-
trict shall assume all rights and obligations of the United
States under the agreement dated July 28, 1994, between
the United States and the Director, New Mexico Depart-
ment of Game and Fish (Document No. 2–LM–40–00640),
relating to management of certain lands near Brantley Res-
ervoir for fish and wildlife purposes and the agreement
dated March 9, 1977, between the United States and the
New Mexico Department of Energy, Minerals, and Natural
Resources (Contract No. 7–07–57–X0888) for the manage-
ment and operation of Brantley Lake State Park.
(b) LIMITATION.—The District shall not be obligated
for any financial support agreed to by the Secretary, or
the Secretary’s designee, in either agreement and the Dis-
trict shall not be entitled to any receipts or revenues gen-
erated as a result of either agreement.
SEC. 306. LEASE MANAGEMENT AND PAST REVENUES COL-
LECTED FROM THE ACQUIRED LANDS.
(a) NOTIFICATION OF LEASEHOLDERS.—Within 120
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary
shall provide to the District a written identification of all
mineral and grazing leases in effect on Project lands on
the date of enactment of this Act and notify all leaseholders
of the conveyance authorized by this title.
(b) MANAGEMENT OF LEASES, LICENSES, AND PER-
MITS.—The District shall assume all rights and obligations
of the United States for all mineral and grazing leases, li-
censes, and permits existing on the Project lands conveyed
under section 303, and shall be entitled to any receipts from
such leases, licenses, and permits accruing after the date
of conveyance. All such receipts shall be used for purposes
for which the Project was authorized and for financing the
portion of operations, maintenance, and replacement at the
Sumner Dam that, prior to conveyance, was the responsibil-
ity of the Bureau of Reclamation, with the exception of
major maintenance programs in progress prior to convey-
ance. The District shall continue to adhere to the current
Bureau of Reclamation mineral leasing stipulations for the
Project.
(c) AVAILABILITY OF AMOUNTS PAID INTO THE REC-
LAMATION FUND.—
(1) AMOUNTS
IN
FUND
ON
DATE
OF
ENACT-
MENT.—Amounts in the reclamation fund on the date
of enactment of this Act which exist as construction
credits to the Carlsbad Project under the terms of the
Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands (30 U.S.C.
351–359) shall be deposited into the general fund of
the Treasury and credited to deficit reduction or re-
tirement of the Federal debt.
(2) RECEIPTS AFTER DATE OF ENACTMENT.—Of
the receipts from mineral and grazing leases, licenses,
and permits on Project lands to be conveyed under
section 303 that are received by the United States
after the date of enactment of this Act and before the
date of conveyance, up to $200,000 shall be applied
to pay the cost referred to in section 303(c)(3) and the
remainder shall be deposited into the general fund of
the Treasury of the United States and credited to def-
icit reduction or retirement of the Federal debt.
SEC. 307. WATER CONSERVATION PRACTICES.
Nothing in this title shall be construed to limit the
ability of the District to voluntarily implement water con-
servation practices.
SEC. 308. LIABILITY.
Except as otherwise provided by law, effective on the
date of conveyance of the Project under this title, the United
States shall not be liable for damages of any kind arising
out of any act, omission, or occurrence based on its prior
ownership or operation of the conveyed property.
SEC. 309. FUTURE RECLAMATION BENEFITS.
After completion of the conveyance under this title, the
District shall not be eligible for any emergency loan from
the Bureau of Reclamation for maintenance or replacement
of any facility conveyed under this title.
TITLE IV—PALMETTO BEND
PROJECT, TEXAS
SEC. 401. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ‘‘Palmetto Bend Convey-
ance Act’’.
SEC. 402. DEFINITIONS.
In this title:
(1) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means the
Lavaca-Navidad River Authority and the Texas
Water Development Board, jointly.
(2) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means
the Secretary of the Interior.
(3) PROJECT.—The term ‘‘Project’’ means all of
the right, title, and interest in and to the Palmetto
Bend reclamation project, Texas, authorized by Public
Law 90–562 (82 Stat. 999).
SEC. 403. CONVEYANCE OF PROJECT.
(a) IN GENERAL.—In consideration of the State ac-
cepting the obligations of the Federal Government for the
Project and subject to the payment by the State of the net
present value of the remaining repayment obligation, as de-
termined by Office of Management and Budget Circular A–
129 (in effect on the date of enactment of this Act) and
the completion of payments by the State required under
subsection (b)(3), the Secretary shall convey the Project to
the State.
(b) DEADLINE.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—If no changes in Project oper-
ations are expected following the conveyance under
subsection (a), the Secretary shall complete the con-
veyance expeditiously, but not later than 180 days
after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(2) DEADLINE IF CHANGES IN OPERATIONS IN-
TENDED.—If the State intends to change Project oper-
ations as a result of the conveyance under subsection
(a), the Secretary—
(A) shall take into account those potential
changes for the purpose of completing any re-
quired environmental evaluation associated with
the conveyance; and
(B) shall complete the conveyance by not
later than 2 years after the date of the enactment
of this Act.
(3) ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS OF CONVEYANCE.—If
the Secretary fails to complete the conveyance under
this title before the applicable deadline under para-
graph (1) or (2), the full cost of administrative action
and environmental compliance for the conveyance
shall be borne by the Secretary. If the Secretary com-
pletes the conveyance before that deadline, 1⁄2 of such
cost shall be paid by the State.
SEC. 404. RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING OPERATIONS.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Nothing in this title shall be con-
strued as significantly expanding or otherwise changing the
use or operation of the Project from its current use and
operation.
(b) FUTURE ALTERATIONS.—If the State alters the op-
erations or uses of the Project it shall comply will all appli-
cable laws or regulations governing such changes at that
time.
(c) CONDITION.—Subject to the laws of the State of
Texas, Lake Texana shall not be used to wheel water origi-
nating from the Texas, Colorado River.
SEC. 405. RELATIONSHIP TO CERTAIN CONTRACT OBLIGA-
TIONS.
Existing obligations of the United States pertaining
to the Project shall continue in effect and be assumed by
the State.
SEC. 406. RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER LAWS.
Upon conveyance of the Project under this title, the
Reclamation Act of 1902 (82 Stat. 388) and all Acts
amendatory thereof or supplemental thereto shall not apply
to the Project.
SEC. 407. LIABILITY.
Except as otherwise provided by law, effective on the
date of conveyance of the Project under this title, the United
States shall not be liable for damages of any kind arising
out of any act, omission, or occurrence based on its prior
ownership or operation of the conveyed property.
TITLE V—WELLTON-MOHAWK DI-
VISION, GILA PROJECT, ARI-
ZONA
SEC. 501. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ‘‘Wellton-Mohawk Divi-
sion Title Transfer Act of 1998’’.
SEC. 502. DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of this title:
(1) The term ‘‘District’’ means the Wellton-Mo-
hawk Irrigation and Drainage District, an irrigation
and drainage district created, organized, and existing
under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Ari-
zona.
(2) The term ‘‘Project’’ means all of the right,
title, and interest in and to the Wellton-Mohawk Di-
vision, Gila Project, Arizona, held by the United
States pursuant to or related to any authorization in
the Act of July 30, 1947 (chapter 382; 61 Stat. 628).
(3) The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary of
the Interior.
(4) The term ‘‘withdrawn lands’’ means those
lands within and adjacent to the District that have
been withdrawn from public use for reclamation pur-
poses.
SEC. 503. CONVEYANCE OF PROJECT.
(a) IN GENERAL.—In consideration of the District ac-
cepting the obligations of the Federal Government for the
Project, and subject to the payment of fair market value
by the District for the withdrawn lands and the completion
of payments by the District required under subsection
(b)(3), the Secretary shall convey the Project and the with-
drawn lands to the District in accordance with the Memo-
randum of Agreement between the Secretary and the Dis-
trict numbered 8–AA–34–WAO14 and dated July 10, 1988.
(b) DEADLINE.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—If no changes in Project oper-
ations are expected following the conveyance under
subsection (a), the Secretary shall complete the con-
veyance expeditiously, but not later than 180 days
after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(2) DEADLINE IF CHANGES IN OPERATIONS IN-
TENDED.—If the District intends to change Project
operations as a result of the conveyance under sub-
section (a), the Secretary—
(A) shall take into account those potential
changes for the purpose of completing any re-
quired environmental evaluation associated with
the conveyance; and
(B) shall complete the conveyance by not
later than 3 years after the date of the enactment
of this Act.
(3) ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS OF CONVEYANCE.—If
the Secretary fails to complete the conveyance under
this title before the applicable deadline under para-
graph (1) or (2), the full cost of administrative action
and environmental compliance for the conveyance
shall be borne by the Secretary. If the Secretary com-
pletes the conveyance before that deadline, 1⁄2 of such
cost shall be paid by the District.
SEC. 504. RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING OPERATIONS.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Nothing in this title shall be con-
strued as significantly expanding or otherwise changing the
use or operation of the Project from its current use or oper-
ation.
(b) FUTURE ALTERATIONS.—If the District alters the
operations or uses of the Project, it shall comply with all
applicable laws and regulations governing such changes at
that time.
SEC. 505. LIABILITY.
Except as otherwise provided by law, effective on the
date of conveyance of the Project under this title, the United
States shall not be held liable under any law for damages
of any kind arising out of any act, omission, or occurrence
based on its prior ownership or operation of the conveyed
property.
SEC. 506. LANDS TRANSFER.
Pursuant to the Memorandum of Agreement between
the Secretary and the District numbered 8–AA–34–WAO14
and dated July 10, 1988, the Secretary may transfer to the
District, by sale or exchange, at fair market value, public
lands located in or adjacent to the Project, and lands held
by the Federal Government on the date of the enactment
of this Act pursuant to Public Law 93–320 and Public Law
100–512 and located in or adjacent to the District, other
than lands in the Gila River channel.
SEC. 507. WATER AND POWER CONTRACTS.
Notwithstanding any conveyance or transfer under
this title, the Secretary and the Secretary of Energy shall
provide for and deliver Colorado River water and Parker-
Davis Project Priority Use Power to the District in accord-
ance with the terms of existing contracts with the District,
including any amendments and supplements thereto or ex-
tensions thereof and as provided under section 2 of the
Memorandum of Agreement between the Secretary and the
District numbered 8–AA–34–WAO14 and dated July 10,
1988.
TITLE VI—CANADIAN RIVER
PROJECT, TEXAS
SEC. 601. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ‘‘Canadian River Project
Prepayment Act’’.
SEC. 602. DEFINITIONS.
For the purposes of this title:
(1) The term ‘‘Authority’’ means the Canadian
River Municipal Water Authority, a conservation and
reclamation district of the State of Texas.
(2) The term ‘‘Canadian River Project Author-
ization Act’’ means the Act entitled ‘An Act to au-
thorize the construction, operation, and maintenance
by the Secretary of the Interior of the Canadian River
reclamation project, Texas’’, approved December 29,
1950 (chapter 1183; 64 Stat. 1124).
(3) The term ‘‘Project’’ means all of the right,
title, and interest in and to all land and improve-
ments comprising the pipeline and related facilities of
the Canadian River Project authorized by the Cana-
dian River Project Authorization Act.
(4) The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary of
the Interior.
SEC. 603. PREPAYMENT AND CONVEYANCE OF PROJECT.
(a) IN GENERAL.—(1) In consideration of the Author-
ity accepting the obligation of the Federal Government for
the Project and subject to the payment by the Authority
of the applicable amount under paragraph (2) within the
360-day period beginning on the date of the enactment of
this title, the Secretary shall convey the Project to the Au-
thority, as provided in section 2(c)(3) of the Canadian
River Project Authorization Act (64 Stat. 1124).
(2) For purposes of paragraph (1), the applicable
amount shall be—
(A) $34,806,731, if payment is made by the Au-
thority within the 270-day period beginning on the
date of enactment of this title; or
(B) the amount specified in subparagraph (A)
adjusted to include interest on that amount since the
date of the enactment of this title at the appropriate
Treasury bill rate for an equivalent term, if payment
is made by the Authority after the period referred to
in subparagraph (A).
(3) If payment under paragraph (1) is not made by
the Authority within the period specified in paragraph (1),
this title shall have no force or effect.
(b) FINANCING.—Nothing in this title shall be con-
strued to affect the right of the Authority to use a particular
type of financing.
SEC. 604. RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING OPERATIONS.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Nothing in this title shall be con-
strued as significantly expanding or otherwise changing the
use or operation of the Project from its current use and
operation.
(b) FUTURE ALTERATIONS.—If the Authority alters
the operations or uses of the Project it shall comply with
all applicable laws or regulations governing such alteration
at that time.
(c) RECREATION.—The Secretary of the Interior, act-
ing through the National Park Service, shall continue to
operate the Lake Meredith National Recreation Area at
Lake Meredith.
(d) FLOOD CONTROL.—The Secretary of the Army,
acting through the Corps of Engineers, shall continue to
(E) The District and the Bureau of Indian
Affairs shall issue perpetual easements to the
Forest Service, at no cost to the Forest Service,
from National Forest System lands to Vallecito
Reservoir to assure continued public access to
Vallecito Reservoir when the Reservoir level
drops below the 7,665-foot water surface ele-
vation.
(F) The District and the Bureau of Indian
Affairs shall issue a perpetual easement to the
Forest Service, at no cost to the Forest Service,
for the reconstruction, maintenance, and oper-
ation of a road from La Plata County Road No.
501 to National Forest System lands east of the
Reservoir.
(4) VALID EXISTING RIGHTS.—Nothing in this
subsection shall affect any valid existing rights or in-
terests in any existing land use authorization, except
that any such land use authorization shall be admin-
istered by the agency having jurisdiction over the
land after the transfer of administrative jurisdiction
under paragraph (1) in accordance with paragraph
(3) and other applicable law. Renewal or reissuance
of any such authorization shall be in accordance with
applicable law and the regulations of the agency hav-