Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 70.djvu/784

 728

PUBLIC LAW 8 4 4 - J U L Y 30, 1956

49 Stat. 1577.

ST AT.

exceed fifty years, as he may deem reasonable, for the use of not to exceed fifteen thousand four hundred acre-feet of stora^ space in the Hulah Reservoir, for the purpose of providing such city a regulated water supply. (b) The project for the Hulah Reservoir on the Caney River, authorized by the Act entitled "An Act authorizing the construction of certain public works on rivers and harbors for flood control, and for other purposes"', approved June 22, 1936, is hereby modified in accordance with the provisions of this Act. (c) All moneys received by the Chief of Engineers pursuant to this Act shall be deposited in the Treasury of the United States as miscellaneous receipts. (d) Nothing in this Act shall affect water rights under State law. Approved July 80, 1956.

Public Law 844

CHAPTER 788

AN ACT To authorize and direct the exchanges and sales of public lands within or adjacent to the district of Puna, county of Hawaii, Territory of Hawaii, for the relief of persons whose lands were destroyed by volcanic activity.

July 30, 1956 [H. R. 7891]

Hawaii. Exchange lands.

[70

of

Sale of lands.

Applications.

Effective date.

Be it enacted by the Senate and Hoitse of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Commissioner of Public Lands of the Territory of Hawaii is authorized and directed to exchange public lands within or adjacent to the district of Puna, county of Hawaii, Territory of Hawaii, for lands within the county of Hawaii destroyed by volcanic activity occurring during March and April 1955. The Territory may not convey lands exceeding forty acres in area or $5,000 in value. For the purposes of the exchange the destroyed lands are to be appraised at the market value just prior to the time of destruction, but the value of improvements such as crops and buildings shall be excluded therefrom. SEC. 2. After the limits of exchange have been exhausted the Commissioner is authorized to sell to those who have been unable to replace all the lands destroyed public lands within or adjacent to the district of Puna, county of Hawaii, Territory of Hawaii, not exceeding eighty acres in area, or the area of destroyed land, whichever is less, deducting therefrom the area conveyed by the Territory by exchange as provided in section 1. Such a sale shall be made without {mblic auction, drawing or lot or the approval of the board of public ands. SEC. 3. If the lessor of any destroyed lands should fail to exchange or purchase lands to replace his destroyed lands, his lessee may purchase under the provisions of this Act public lands not exceeding eighty acres in area or the area of destroyed land leased by him, whichever IS less. SEC. 4. In order to come within the provisions of this Act, persons must file applications showing the area and approximate value of lands, owned or leased by them, which were destroyed by volcanic activity, within two years of the date of approval of this Act. SEC. 5. Except as changed herein, all applicable provisions of the Organic Act oi Hawaii remain in force. SEC. 6. This Act shall take effect on and after the date of its approval. Approved July 30, 1956.

�