§384 Extension of time for payment of charges accrued prior to March 2, 1924, and January 1, 1925

Summary

The Secretary of the Interior may delay the payment dates for charges, rents, and penalties that came due before March 2, 1924 for water users on certain Indian irrigation projects. Any delay cannot go past March 1, 1927. When payment is rescheduled, past penalties and interest are wiped out and the unpaid amount will instead earn 5% interest a year, paid each year from when the money was first due until it is paid. If the new principal and interest are not paid as agreed, the penalties that applied on May 9, 1924 will take effect from the date of the missed payment. A single water user or someone applying for a water right can apply before January 1, 1925, saying they cannot make the payments. If the Secretary agrees before March 1, 1925, the unpaid charges can be added to the land’s construction charge and spread over later years starting in 1925. The Secretary can spread the charges evenly over the remaining years or put one-fourth in the first half and three-fourths in the second half of the remaining 20-year payment period that starts in 1925. The applicant must first give a detailed statement of assets and debts to prove inability to pay. If they default, the earlier penalties in effect before May 9, 1924 will apply from the date of default. A legally organized group of water users can get the same kind of relief if enough individual statements show it is needed.