Pub. L. 93-493, tit. X, sec. 1003

Sec. 1003. (a) The Secretary is authorized to enter into a contract with a qualified entity or entities, for delivery of water and for repayment of the balance of the reimbursable construction costs. (b) Construction of the project shall not be commenced until a suitable contract has been executed by the Secretary with a qualified entity or entities. (c) Such contract may be entered into without regard to the last sentence of section 9, subsection (c), of the Reclamation Project Act of 1939. 88 Stat. 1497 (d) Upon execution of the contract referred to in section 1003(a) above, and upon completion of construction of the project, the Secretary shall transfer to a qualified contracting entity or entities the care, operation, and maintenance of the project works, and, after such transfer is made, will credit annually against the contractors repayment obligation that portion of the year’s joint operation and maintenance costs which, if the United States had continued to operate the project, would have been allocated to fish and wildlife and recreation purposes. Prior to assuming care, operation, and maintenance of the project works the contracting entity or entities shall agree to operate them in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Interior with respect to fish and wildlife and recreation. (e) Upon complete payment of the obligation assumed, including appropriate interest charges, the contracting entity or entities their designee or designees, shall have a permanent right to use the reservoir and related facilities of the Nueces River project in accordance with said contract.