Title 16ConservationRelease 119-73

§777f Payments by United States

Title 16 › Chapter CHAPTER 10B— - FISH RESTORATION AND MANAGEMENT PROJECTS › § 777f

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

When the Secretary of the Interior finds a project finished or fish research is being done under approved plans, the Secretary must pay the State the funds set aside for that project. The Secretary can make payments as work goes on, but total payments cannot exceed the United States’ share. If a State makes a comprehensive fish and wildlife plan under option (1) of subsection (a) of section 777e and the Secretary approves it, the Secretary may advance the agreed U.S. share. All construction must follow state law and be directly supervised by the State fish and game department and inspected by the Secretary under the chapter’s rules. The Secretary and the State together decide when and how much to pay. Payments are made from the appropriation to the officials or depository the State fish and game department names and that state law allows to receive public funds.

Full Legal Text

Title 16, §777f

Conservation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)When the Secretary of the Interior shall find that any project approved by him has been completed or, if involving research relating to fish, is being conducted, in compliance with said plans and specifications, he shall cause to be paid to the proper authority of said State the amount set aside for said project. The Secretary of the Interior may, in his discretion, from time to time, make payments on said project as the same progresses; but these payments, including previous payments, if any, shall not be more than the United States’ pro rata share of the project in conformity with said plans and specifications. If a State has elected to avail itself of the benefits of this chapter by preparing a comprehensive fish and wildlife plan as provided for under option (1) of subsection (a) of section 777e of this title, and this plan has been approved by the Secretary of the Interior, then the Secretary may, in his discretion, and under such rules and regulations, as he may prescribe, advance funds to the State for financing the United States’ pro rata share agreed upon between the State fish and game department and the Secretary.
(b)Any construction work and labor in each State shall be performed in accordance with its laws and under the direct supervision of the State fish and game department, subject to the inspection and approval of the Secretary of the Interior and in accordance with the rules and regulations made pursuant to this chapter. The Secretary of the Interior and the State fish and game department of each State may jointly determine at what times and in what amounts payments shall be made under this chapter. Such payments shall be made against the said appropriation to such official or officials, or depository, as may be designated by the State fish and game department and authorized under the laws of the State to receive public funds of the State.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1970—Pub. L. 91–503 divided existing provisions into subsecs. (a) and (b) and authorized advance payments by the Secretary to the States for financing the United States’ pro rata share of the comprehensive fish and wildlife plan.

Executive Documents

Transfer of Functions

to Secretary of Commerce from Secretary of the Interior by Reorg. Plan No. 4 of 1970, eff. Oct. 3, 1970, 35 F.R. 15627, 84 Stat. 2090, see note set out under section 777 of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

16 U.S.C. § 777f

Title 16Conservation

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73