Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 83.djvu/115

 83 STAT. ]

PUBLIC LAW 91-52-AUG. 4, 1969 " ARTICLE I.

"A. The major purposes of this compact are to provide for an equitable division or apportionment of the available surface water supply of the Upper Niobrara River Basin between the States; to provide for obtaining information on groundwater and underground water flow necessary for apportioning the underground flow by supplement to this compact; to remove all causes, present and future which might lead to controversies; and to promote interstate comity. " B. The physical and other conditions peculiar to the LTpper Niobrara River Basin constitute the basis for this compact; and neither of the States hereby concedes that this compact establishes any general principle or precedent with respect to any other interstate stream. "C. Either State and all others using, claiming or in any other manner asserting any right to the use of the waters of the Niobrara River Basin under the authority of that State, shall be subject to the terms of this compact. "ARTICLE II. "A. The term 'Upper Niobrara River' shall mean and include the Niobrara River and its tributaries in Nebraska and Wyoming west of Range 55 West of the 6th P.M. " B. The term 'Upper Niobrara River Basin' or the term 'Basin' shall mean that area in Wyoming and Nebraska which is naturally drained by the Niobrara River west of Range 55 West of the 6th P.M. "C. Where the name of a State or the term 'State' or 'States' is used, they shall be construed to include any person or entity of any nature whatsoever using, claiming, or in any manner asserting any right to the use of the waters of the Niobrara River under the authority of that State. "ARTICLE III. " I t shall be the duty of the two States to administer this compact through the official in each State who is now or may hereafter be charged with the duty of administering the public water supplies, and to collect and correlate through such officials the data necessary for the proper administration of the provisions of this compact. Such officials may, by unanimous action, adopt rules and regulations consistent with the provisions of this compact. "The States agree that the United States Geological Survey, or whatever Federal agency may succeed to the functions and duties of that agency, insofar as this compact is concerned, may collaborate with the officials of the States charged with the administration of this compact in the execution of the duty of such officials in the collection, correlation, and publication of information necessary for the proper administration of this compact. " ARTICLE IV. "Each State shall itself or in conjunction with other responsible agencies cause to be established, maintained, and operated such suitable water gaging stations as are found necessary to administer this compaot. " ARTICLE V. "A. Wyoming and Nebraska agree that the division of surface waters of the Upper Niobrara River shall be in accordance with the following provisions.

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