I
105TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. R. 4389
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
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
Irrigation District, a political subdivision of the
State of California that has its principal place of
business in the city of Placerville, El Dorado Coun-
ty, California.
(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
October 14, 1949 (63 Stat. 852 chapter 690);
SEC. 103. CONVEYANCE OF PROJECT.
(a) IN GENERAL.—In consideration of the District
accepting the obligations of the Federal Government for
the Project and subject to the payment by the District
of the net present value of the remaining repayment obli-
gation, as determined by Office of Management and Budg-
et Circular A–129 (in effect on the date of enactment of
this Act) and the completion of payments by the District
required under subsection (b)(3) of this section and sec-
tion 106(b), the Secretary shall convey the Project to the
District.
(b) DEADLINE.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—If no changes in Project op-
erations 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 enact-
ment of this Act.
(3) 
ADMINISTRATIVE
COSTS
OF
CONVEY-
ANCE.—If the Secretary fails to complete the con-
veyance under this title before the applicable dead-
line under paragraph (1) or (2), the full cost of ad-
ministrative action and environmental compliance for
the conveyance shall be borne by the Secretary. If
the Secretary completes the conveyance before that
deadline, 1⁄2 of such cost shall be paid by the Dis-
trict.
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
between 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
section 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
subsection (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 TO RESTORATION FUND.—The Dis-
trict shall make a payment of $1,400,000 into the Central
Valley Project Restoration Fund as satisfaction of the Dis-
trict’s obligation to make payments into that fund re-
quired under section 3407 of Public Law 102–575.
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 South-
side Pumping Division of the Minidoka Project,
Idaho, including 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 alloca-
ble construction costs have been fully repaid by the
District.
SEC. 203. CONVEYANCE.
(a) IN GENERAL.—In consideration of the District
accepting 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 Sec-
retary shall convey the Project and the water rights de-
scribed 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
Irrigation 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 Dis-
trict 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 con-
veyed 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
contracts 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 op-
erations 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 enact-
ment of this Act.
(3) 
ADMINISTRATIVE
COSTS
OF
CONVEY-
ANCE.—If the Secretary fails to complete the con-
veyance under this title before the applicable dead-
line under paragraph (1) or (2), the full cost of ad-
ministrative action and environmental compliance for
the conveyance shall be borne by the Secretary. If
the Secretary completes the conveyance before that
deadline, 1⁄2 of such cost shall be borne by the Dis-
trict.
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
Irrigation District with the terms and conditions of a con-
tract between the District and Minidoka Irrigation Dis-
trict, and any amendments or changes made by agreement
of the irrigation districts.
(b) ALLOCATION
OF
STORAGE
SPACE.—The Sec-
retary 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 storage facilities operated by the Bureau of Rec-
lamation.
(c) PROJECT RESERVED POWER.—The Secretary
shall continue to provide the District with project reserved
power from the Minidoka Reclamation Power Plant, Pali-
sades Reclamation Power Plant, Black Canyon Reclama-
tion 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 contracts.
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 arising out of any act, omission, or occurrence based
on its prior ownership or operation of the conveyed prop-
erty.
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 Ir-
rigation 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 sub-
surface and mineral estate) in Eddy County, New
Mexico, described as the acquired lands in section
(7) of the Status of Lands and Title Report: Carls-
bad Project as reported by the Bureau of Reclama-
tion in 1978 and all interests the United States
holds in the irrigation and drainage system of the
Carlsbad Project and all related ditch rider houses,
maintenance shop and buildings, 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 sub-
ject 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
Reservoirs.
(c) DEADLINE.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—If no changes in Project op-
erations 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 enact-
ment of this Act.
(3) 
ADMINISTRATIVE
COSTS
OF
CONVEY-
ANCE.—If the Secretary fails to complete the con-
veyance under this title before the applicable dead-
line under paragraph (1) or (2), the full cost of ad-
ministrative action and environmental compliance for
the conveyance shall be borne by the Secretary. If
the Secretary completes the conveyance before that
deadline, 1⁄2 of such cost shall be paid by the Dis-
trict.
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 District for the purposes for which the Project was
authorized, based on historic operations, and consistent
with the management 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
District 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
Department of Game and Fish (Document No. 2–LM–40–
00640), relating to management of certain lands near
Brantley Reservoir for fish and wildlife purposes and the
agreement dated March 9, 1977, between the United
States and the New Mexico Department of Energy, Min-
erals, and Natural Resources (Contract No. 7–07–57–
X0888) for the management 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 lease-
holders of the conveyance authorized by this title.
(b) MANAGEMENT OF LEASES, LICENSES, AND PER-
MITS.—The District shall assume all rights and obliga-
tions of the United States for all mineral and grazing
leases, licenses, 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 convey-
ance, was the responsibility of the Bureau of Reclamation,
with the exception of major maintenance programs in
progress prior to conveyance. 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 con-
struction 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 retirement of the Federal debt.
(2) RECEIPTS AFTER DATE OF ENACTMENT.—
Of the receipts from mineral and grazing leases, li-
censes, 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 deficit 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 re-
placement 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 Con-
veyance 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 Pal-
quired environmental evaluation associated with
the conveyance; and
(B) shall complete the conveyance by not
later than 2 years after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act.
(3) 
ADMINISTRATIVE
COSTS
OF
CONVEY-
ANCE.—If the Secretary fails to complete the con-
veyance under this title before the applicable dead-
line under paragraph (1) or (2), the full cost of ad-
ministrative action and environmental compliance for
the conveyance shall be borne by the Secretary. If
the Secretary completes 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
operations or uses of the Project it shall comply will all
applicable laws or regulations governing such changes at
that time.
(c) CONDITION.—Any conveyance under this title is
subject to the condition that the State not use Lake
Texana or its tributaries for the transport or storage of
water originally diverted from within the Colorado River
basin for the exclusive purpose of augmenting municipal
and industrial water supply outside the Lavaca-Navidad
River basin.
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 exist-
ing under and by virtue of the laws of the State of
Arizona.
(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
accepting 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 com-
pletion of payments by the District required under sub-
section (b)(3), the Secretary shall convey the Project and
the withdrawn lands to the District in accordance with the
Memorandum of Agreement between the Secretary and
the District numbered 8–AA–34–WAO14 and dated July
10, 1988.
(b) DEADLINE.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—If no changes in Project op-
erations 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 enact-
ment of this Act.
(3) 
ADMINISTRATIVE
COSTS
OF
CONVEY-
ANCE.—If the Secretary fails to complete the con-
veyance under this title before the applicable dead-
line under paragraph (1) or (2), the full cost of ad-
ministrative action and environmental compliance for
the conveyance shall be borne by the Secretary. If
the Secretary completes the conveyance before that
deadline, 1⁄2 of such cost shall be paid by the Dis-
trict.
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 operation.
(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 mar-
ket 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 adja-
cent 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 ac-
cordance with the terms of existing contracts with the Dis-
trict, including any amendments and supplements thereto
or extensions 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 Decem-
ber 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 Ca-
nadian 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 Au-
thority accepting the obligation of the Federal Govern-
ment 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 Act and the completion of payments by
the Authority required under subsection (b)(3), the Sec-
retary shall convey the Project to the Authority, as pro-
vided in section 2(c)(3) of the Canadian River Project Au-
thorization Act (64 Stat. 1124).
(2) For purposes of paragraph (1), the applicable
amount shall be—
(A) $34,800,000, if payment is made by the
Authority within the 270-day period beginning on
the date of enactment of this Act; or
(B) the amount specified in subparagraph (A)
adjusted to include interest on that amount since the
date of the enactment of this Act 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) DEADLINE.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—If no changes in Project op-
erations 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 Authority intends to change
Project operations 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 enact-
ment of this Act.
(3) 
ADMINISTRATIVE
COSTS
OF
CONVEY-
ANCE.—If the Secretary fails to complete the con-
veyance under this title before the applicable dead-
line under paragraph (1) or (2), the full cost of ad-
ministrative action and environmental compliance for
the conveyance shall be borne by the Secretary. If
the Secretary completes the conveyance before that
deadline, 1⁄2 of such cost shall be paid by the Au-
thority.
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
prescribe regulations for the use of storage allocated to
flood control at Lake Meredith as prescribed in the Letter
of Understanding entered into between the Corps, the Bu-
reau of Reclamation, and the Authority in March and May
1980.
(e) SANFORD DAM PROPERTY.—The Authority shall
have the right to occupy and use without payment of lease
or rental charges or license or use fees the property re-
tained by the Bureau of Reclamation at Sanford Dam and
all buildings constructed by the United States thereon for
use as the Authority’s headquarters and maintenance fa-
cility. Buildings constructed by the Authority on such
property, and existing and future additions to Govern-
ment-constructed buildings, shall be allowed to remain on
the property. The Authority shall operate and maintain
such property and facilities without cost to the United
States. The Authority and the Federal Government shall
each remain liable for their respective activities relating
to the property and facilities referred to in this subsection.
SEC. 605. RELATIONSHIP TO CERTAIN CONTRACT OBLIGA-
TIONS.
(a) PAYMENT OBLIGATIONS EXTINGUISHED.—Provi-
sion of consideration by the Authority in accordance with
section 603(b) shall extinguish all payment obligations
under contract numbered 14–06–500–485 between the
Authority and the Secretary.
(b) OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE COSTS.—After
completion of the conveyance provided for in section 603,
the Authority shall have full responsibility for the cost of
operation and maintenance of Sanford Dam, and shall
continue to have full responsibility for operation and main-
tenance of the Project pipeline and related facilities.
(c) GENERAL.—Rights and obligations under the ex-
isting contract No. 14–06–500–485 between the Authority
and the United States, other than provisions regarding re-
payment of construction charge obligation by the Author-
ity and provisions relating to the Project aqueduct, shall
remain in full force and effect for the remaining term of
the contract.
SEC. 606. 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. 607. 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 under any law for dam-
ages of any kind arising out of any act, omission, or occur-
rence based on its prior ownership or operation of the con-
veyed property.
TITLE VII—CLEAR CREEK DIS-
TRIBUTION 
SYSTEM, 
CALI-
FORNIA
SEC. 701. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ‘‘Clear Creek Distribu-
tion System Conveyance Act’’.
SEC. 702. DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of this title:
(1) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means
the Secretary of the Interior.
(2) DISTRICT.—The term ‘‘District’’ means the
Clear Creek Community Services District, a Califor-
nia community services district located in Shasta
County, California.
(3) DISTRIBUTION
SYSTEM.—The term ‘‘Dis-
tribution System’’ means all the right title and inter-
est in and to the Clear Creek distribution system as
defined in the agreement entitled ‘‘Agreement Be-
tween the United States and the Clear Creek Com-
munity Services District to Transfer Title to the
Clear Creek Distribution System to the Clear Creek
Community Services District’’ (Agreement No. 8–
07–20–L6975).
SEC. 703. CONVEYANCE OF PROJECT.
(a) IN GENERAL.—In consideration of the District
accepting the obligations of the Federal Government for
the Distribution System and subject to the completion of
payments by the District required under subsection (b)(3),
the Secretary shall convey the Distribution System to the
District.
(b) DEADLINE.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—If no changes in Project op-
erations 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 enact-
ment of this Act.
(3) 
ADMINISTRATIVE
COSTS
OF
CONVEY-
ANCE.—If the Secretary fails to complete the con-
veyance under this title before the applicable dead-
line under paragraph (1) or (2), the full cost of ad-
ministrative action and environmental compliance for
the conveyance shall be borne by the Secretary. If
the Secretary completes the conveyance before that
deadline, 1⁄2 of such cost shall be paid by the Dis-
trict.
SEC. 704. 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 Distribution System from its
current use and operation.
(b) FUTURE ALTERATIONS.—If the District alters
the operations or uses of the Distribution System it shall
comply with all applicable laws or regulations governing
such changes at that time (subject to section 705).
SEC. 705. RELATIONSHIP TO CERTAIN CONTRACT OBLIGA-
TIONS.
(a) NATIVE AMERICAN TRUST RESPONSIBILITY.—
The Secretary shall ensure that any trust responsibilities
to any Native American Tribes that may be affected by
the conveyance under this title are protected and fulfilled.
(b) CONTRACT OBLIGATIONS.—Conveyance of the
Distribution System under this title—
(1) shall not affect any of the provisions of the
District’s existing water service contract with the
United States (contract number 14–06–200–489–
IR3), as it may be amended or supplemented; and
(2) shall not deprive the District of any existing
contractual or statutory entitlement to subsequent
interim renewals of such contract or to renewal by
entering into a long-term water service contract.
SEC. 706. LIABILITY.
Effective on the date of conveyance of the Distribu-
tion System under this title, the United States shall not
be 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.
TITLE VIII—PINE RIVER
PROJECT, COLORADO
SEC. 801. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ‘‘Vallecito Dam and
Reservoir Conveyance Act’’.
SEC. 802. DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of this title:
(1) The term ‘‘District’’ means the Pine River
Irrigation District, a political division of the State of
Colorado duly organized, existing, and acting pursu-
ant to the laws thereof with its principal place of
business in the City of Bayfield, La Plata County,
Colorado.
(2) The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary
of the Interior.
(3) The term the ‘‘Project’’ means Vallecito
Dam and Reservoir, and associated interests, owned
by the United States and authorized in 1937 under
the provisions of the Department of the Interior Ap-
propriation Act of June 25, 1910 (36 Stat. 835).
(4) The term ‘‘Repayment Contract’’ means Re-
payment Contract #I1r–1204, between Reclamation
and the Pine River Irrigation District, dated April
15, 1940, and amended November 30, 1953, all
amendments thereto, and changes pursuant to the
Act of July 27, 1954 (68 Stat. 534).
(5) The term ‘‘Tribe’’ means the Southern Ute
Indian Tribe, a federally recognized Indian tribe lo-
cated on the Southern Ute Indian Reservation, La
Plata County, Colorado.
(6) The term ‘‘Jurisdictional Map’’ means the
map entitled ‘‘Transfer of Jurisdiction—Vallecito
Reservoir, United States Department of Agriculture,
Forest Service and United States Department of the
Interior, Bureau of Reclamation and the Bureau of
Indian Affairs’’ dated March, 1998.
SEC. 803. CONVEYANCE OF PROJECT.
(a) CONVEYANCE TO DISTRICT.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—In consideration of the Dis-
trict accepting the obligations of the Federal Gov-
ernment for the Project and subject to the comple-
tion of payments by the District required under sub-
section (b)(3) and occurrence of the events described
in paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection, the
Secretary shall convey an undivided 5⁄6 interest in
the Project to the District.
(2) SUBMISSION
OF
MANAGEMENT
PLAN.—
Prior to any conveyance under paragraph (1), the
District shall submit to the Secretary a plan to man-
age the Project in a manner substantially similar to
the manner in which it was managed prior to the
transfer and in accordance with applicable Federal
and State laws, including provisions—
(A) protecting the interests in the Project
held by the Bureau of Indian Affairs for the
Tribe;
(B) preserving public access and rec-
reational values and preventing growth on cer-
tain lands to be conveyed hereunder, as set
forth in an Agreement dated March 20, 1998,
between the District and residents of Vallecito
Reservoir; and
(C) ensuring that any future change in the
use of the water supplied by Vallecito Reservoir
shall comply with applicable law.
(3) LIMITATION.—No interest in the Project
shall convey under this subsection before the date on
which the Secretary receives a copy of a resolution
adopted by the Tribe declaring that the terms of the
conveyance protects the Indian trust assets of the
Tribe.
(b) DEADLINE.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—If no changes in Project op-
erations are expected following the conveyance under
subsection (a), the Secretary shall complete the con-
veyance under subsection (a) 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 enact-
ment of this Act.
(3) 
ADMINISTRATIVE
COSTS
OF
CONVEY-
ANCE.—If the District submits a plan in accordance
with subsection (a)(2) and the Secretary receives a
copy of a resolution described in subsection (a)(3),
and the Secretary fails to complete the conveyance
under subsection (a) before the applicable deadline
under paragraph (1) or (2), the full cost of adminis-