Appendix A to Part 273 - Aquatic Plant Control Program Legislative Authority

Appendix A to Part 273 - Aquatic Plant Control Program Legislative Authority

Section 104 of the Rivers and Harbors Act, approved 3 July 1958 (72 Stat. 297, 300), as amended by section 104 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1962 (76 Stat. 1173, 1180), and as amended by section 302 of the Rivers and Harbors Act, approved 27 October 1965 (79 Stat. 1092) states as follows:

Sec. 302. (a) There is hereby authorized a comprehensive program to provide for control and progressive eradication of waterhyacinth, alligatorweed, Eurasian watermilfoil, and other obnoxious aquatic plant growths, from the navigable waters, tributary streams, connecting channels, and other allied waters of the United States, in the combined interest of navigation, flood control, drainage, agriculture, fish and wildlife conservation, public health, and related purposes, including continued research for development of the most effective and economic control measures, to be administered by the Chief of Engineers, under the direction of the Secretary of the Army, in cooperation with other Federal and State agencies. Local interests shall agree to hold and save the United States free from claims that may occur from control operations and to participate to the extent of 30 per centum of the cost of such operations. Costs for research and planning undertaken pursuant to the authorities of this section shall be borne fully by the Federal Government.

(b) There are authorized to be appropriated such amounts not in excess of $5,000,000 annually, as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this section. Any such funds employed for control operations shall be allocated by the Chief of Engineers on a priority basis, based upon the urgency and need of each area, and the availability of local funds.