16 U.S.C. § 800 : US Code - Section 800: Issuance of preliminary permits or licenses

Search 16 U.S.C. § 800 : US Code - Section 800: Issuance of preliminary permits or licenses

(a) Preference
In issuing preliminary permits hereunder or original licenses
where no preliminary permit has been issued, the Commission shall
give preference to applications therefor by States and
municipalities, provided the plans for the same are deemed by the
Commission equally well adapted, or shall within a reasonable time
to be fixed by the Commission be made equally well adapted, to
conserve and utilize in the public interest the water resources of
the region; and as between other applicants, the Commission may
give preference to the applicant the plans of which it finds and
determines are best adapted to develop, conserve, and utilize in
the public interest the water resources of the region, if it be
satisfied as to the ability of the applicant to carry out such
plans.
(b) Development of water resources by United States; reports
Whenever, in the judgment of the Commission, the development of
any water resources for public purposes should be undertaken by the
United States itself, the Commission shall not approve any
application for any project affecting such development, but shall
cause to be made such examinations, surveys, reports, plans, and
estimates of the cost of the proposed development as it may find
necessary, and shall submit its findings to Congress with such
recommendations as it may find appropriate concerning such
development.
(c) Assumption of project by United States after expiration of
license
Whenever, after notice and opportunity for hearing, the
Commission determines that the United States should exercise its
right upon or after the expiration of any license to take over any
project or projects for public purposes, the Commission shall not
issue a new license to the original licensee or to a new licensee
but shall submit its recommendation to Congress together with such
information as it may consider appropriate.