§663 Impoundment or diversion of waters

Summary

Except as allowed under section 662(h), when the U.S. government dams, diverts, deepens, or otherwise changes a stream or other body of water for any reason, it must also provide for the conservation, care, and management of wildlife and their habitat on the water and nearby lands. These plans must match the project’s main purpose and follow the reports and findings required under section 662. General plans must be approved by three people: the head of the federal agency in charge, the Secretary of the Interior, and the head of the state wildlife agency where the land lies. Lands and water made available for wildlife may be given at no cost for state administration when they concern non-migratory wildlife, or be administered by the Secretary of the Interior when they serve the national migratory bird program. Federal construction agencies may acquire needed lands or water for wildlife, but expected acquisitions must be reported to Congress, and some acquisitions need specific Congressional approval. Properties must keep their wildlife purpose and cannot be traded away if that would defeat it. Lands set aside for water projects and given for wildlife must be used under this Act despite other laws. Any federal lands bought inside a national forest become part of that forest and are managed under the Act of March 1, 1911 (36 Stat. 961), unless they are bought for the National Migratory Bird Management Program.