§617f Canals and Appurtenant Structures; Transfer of Title; Power Development

Summary

The Secretary of the Interior can transfer ownership of the canal and its supporting works to the federal districts or agencies that have a financial stake, once all money advanced to the United States (with interest) that must be repaid has been paid back. This transfer does not include Laguna Dam or the main canal and related parts up through the Syphon Drop. The transfer can be made in any organizational form the Secretary accepts. Those districts or agencies may, at any time, use the canal’s power potential by contract or other arrangements. Their right to use power matches how much they paid toward the canal’s capital cost, measured from the diversion works to where each power plant would be located. Net income from any power projects goes into a fund and is credited to the districts or agencies according to their development rights until the users have paid an amount equal to the canal’s operation, maintenance, and construction costs.