Title 16, ConservationRelease 119-73not60
§460l–20 Construction of Projects Under Certain Laws with Allocations to Recreation and Fish and Wildlife Enhancement Exceeding Allocations to Other Functions Unauthorized; Exception
Title 16 › Chapter 1— NATIONAL PARKS, MILITARY PARKS, MONUMENTS, AND SEASHORES › Subchapter LXIX— OUTDOOR RECREATION PROGRAMS › Part C— Water Resources Projects › § 460l–20
Summary
Federal water projects can't be built if the allocation for recreation and fish/wildlife is larger than the allocation for other functions. Exception: projects for anadromous fish, shrimp, or migratory birds protected by treaty are allowed when each other function's benefits exceed its costs.
Full Legal Text
Title 16, §460l–20
Conservation, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Nothing contained in this part shall be taken to authorize or to sanction the construction under the Federal reclamation laws or under any Rivers and Harbors or Flood Control Act of any project in which the sum of the allocations to recreation and fish and wildlife enhancement exceeds the sum of the allocations to irrigation, hydroelectric power, municipal, domestic and industrial water supply, navigation, and flood control, except that this section shall not apply to any such project for the enhancement of anadromous fisheries, shrimp, or for the conservation of migratory birds protected by treaty, when each of the other functions of such a project has, of itself, a favorable benefit-cost ratio.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
References in Text
This part, referred to in text, was in the original “this Act”, meaning Pub. L. 89–72, which enacted sections 460l–12 to 460l–21 of this title and amended former section 460l–5(a) and section 662(d) of this title. Rivers and Harbors or Flood Control Act, referred to in text, is classified principally to Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
16 U.S.C. § 460l–20
Title 16, Conservation
Last Updated
Apr 5, 2026
Release point: 119-73not60