43 U.S.C. § 511 : US Code - Section 511: Authority to contract with irrigation district

Search 43 U.S.C. § 511 : US Code - Section 511: Authority to contract with irrigation district

In carrying out the purposes of the Act of June 17, 1902 (32
Stat. 388), and Acts amendatory thereof and supplementary thereto
and known as the reclamation law, the Secretary of the Interior may
enter into contract with any legally organized irrigation district
whereby such irrigation district shall agree to pay the moneys
required to be paid to the United States, and in such event water-
right applications on the part of landowners and entrymen, in the
discretion of the Secretary of the Interior, may be dispensed with.
In the event of such contract being made with an irrigation
district, the Secretary of the Interior, in his discretion, may
contract that the payments, both for the construction of irrigation
works and for operation and maintenance, on the part of the
district shall be made upon such dates as will best conform to the
district and taxation laws of the respective States under which
such irrigation districts shall be formed, and if he deem it
advisable he may contract for such penalties or interest charges in
case of delinquency in payments as he may deem proper and
consistent with such State laws, notwithstanding the provisions of
sections 471, 472, 475, 478 to 481, 492, 493, 494 to 497 and 499 of
this title. The Secretary of the Interior may accept a partial
payment of the amount due from any district to the United States,
providing such acceptance shall not constitute a waiver of the
balance remaining due nor the interest or penalties, if any,
accruing upon said balance: Provided, That no contract with an
irrigation district under this section and sections 512 and 513 of
this title shall be binding on the United States until the
proceedings on the part of the district for the authorization of
the execution of the contract with the United States shall have
been confirmed by decree of a court of competent jurisdiction, or
pending appellate action if ground for appeal be laid.