§492 Operation and Maintenance Charges Generally

Summary

Besides the construction fee, anyone who applies for water, has a land claim, or owns land on a reclamation project must pay an operation and maintenance charge when water is available to irrigate their land. The fee is based on the project’s total operation and maintenance costs (or each unit) and is charged for each acre-foot of water delivered. Each irrigable acre must pay at least the amount for delivery of not less than one acre-foot, even if it is not watered. If collections in one season are more than the season’s costs, the extra reduces next season’s charge; if collections fall short, the shortfall is added to next season’s charge.