Carpinteria and Montecito Water Distribution Systems Conveyance Act of 2004
PL 108-315 (H.R.1648), enacted 10/05/2004

118 STAT. 1200
PUBLIC LAW 108–315—OCT. 5, 2004
Public Law 108–315
108th Congress
An Act
To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to convey certain water distribution
systems of the Cachuma Project, California, to the Carpinteria Valley Water
District and the Montecito Water District.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Carpinteria and Montecito Water
Distribution Systems Conveyance Act of 2004’’.
SEC. 2. CONVEYANCE OF WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS OF THE
CACHUMA PROJECT, CALIFORNIA.
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the Interior—
(1) may convey to the Carpinteria Valley Water District,
located in Santa Barbara County, California, all right, title,
and interest of the United States in and to the Carpinteria
Distribution System of the Cachuma Project, California, con-
sistent with the terms and conditions set forth in the agreement
entitled ‘‘Agreement Between the United States and the
Carpinteria Valley Water District to Transfer Title to the Feder-
ally Owned Distribution System to the Carpinteria Valley
Water District’’ (Agreement No. 00–XC–20–0364); and
(2) may convey to the Montecito Water District, located
in Santa Barbara County, California, all right, title, and
interest of the United States in and to the Montecito Water
Distribution System of the Cachuma Project, California, con-
sistent with the terms and conditions set forth in the agreement
entitled ‘‘Agreement Between the United States and the
Montecito Water District to Transfer Title to the Federally
Owned Distribution System to the Montecito Water District’’
(Agreement No. 01–XC–20–0365).
(b) LIABILITY.—Effective upon the date of conveyance of a dis-
tribution system under this section, the United States shall not
be held liable by any court for damages of any kind arising out
of any act, omission, or occurrence relating to the distribution
system, except for damages caused by acts of negligence committed
by the United States or by its employees or agents prior to the
date of conveyance. Nothing in this section increases the liability
of the United States beyond that provided in chapter 171 of title
28, United States Code (popularly known as the Federal Tort Claims
Act) on the date of the enactment of this Act.
(c) BENEFITS.—After conveyance of a water distribution system
to the Carpinteria Valley Water District or the Montecito Water
District under this section—
Effective date.
Carpinteria and
Montecito Water
Distribution
Systems
Conveyance Act
of 2004.
Oct. 5, 2004
[H.R. 1648]
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118 STAT. 1201
PUBLIC LAW 108–315—OCT. 5, 2004
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 1648:
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 108–363 (Comm. on Resources).
SENATE REPORTS: No. 108–287 (Comm. on Energy and Natural Resources).
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD:
Vol. 149 (2003): Nov. 17, considered and passed House.
Vol. 150 (2004): Sept. 15, considered and passed Senate.
(1) such water distribution system shall not be considered
to be a part of a Federal reclamation project; and
(2) such water district shall not be eligible to receive any
benefits with respect to any facility comprising that distribution
system, except benefits that would be available to a similarly
situated person with respect to such a facility that is not
part of a Federal reclamation project.
Approved October 5, 2004.
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