Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 91.djvu/203

 PUBLIC LAW 95-31—MAY 23, 1977

91 STAT. 169

Public Law 95-31 95th Congress An Act To provide temporary authorities to the Secretary of Commerce to facilitate emergency actions to mitigate the impacts of the 1976-77 drought and promote water conservation.

May 23, 1977 [S. 1279]

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That this Act be Community Emergency cited as the "Community Emergency Drought Relief Act of 1977". SEC. 101. (a) Upon the application of any State, political subdivi- Drought Relief sion of a State, Indian tribe, or public or private nonprofit organiza- Act uof e1977. 42 s 5184 tion, the Secretary of Commerce is authorized to make grants and note. loans to applicants in drought impacted areas for projects that imple- Grants and loans. ment short-term actions to augment community water supplies where 42 USC 5184 there are severe problems due to water shortages. Such assistance may note. be for the improvement, expansion, or construction of water supplies, and puIx^hase and transportation of water, which in the opinion of the Secretary of Commerce will make a substantial contribution to the relief of an existing or threatened drought condition in a designated area. (b) The Secretary of Commerce may designate any area in the Area, United States as an emergency drought impact area if he or she finds that a major and continuing adverse drought condition exists and is expected to continue, and such condition is causing significant hardships on the affected areas. (c) Eligible applicants shall be those States or political subdivisions Applicants. of States with a population of ten thousand or more, Indian tribes, or public or private nonprofit organizations within areas designated IOF; pursuant to subsection (b) of this section. (d) Projects assisted under this Act shall be only those with respect Project to which assurances can be given to the satisfaction of the Secretary completion dates. of Commerce that the work can be completed by April 30, 1978, or within such extended time as the Secretary may approve in exceptional circumstances. SEC. 102. Grants hereunder shall be in an amount not to exceed 50 Terms and per centum of allowable project costs. Loans shall be for a term not conditions. to exceed 40 years at a per annum interest rate of 5 per centum and 42 USC 5184 shall be on such terms and conditions as the Secretary of Commerce note. shall determine. In determining the amount of a grant assistance for any project, the Secretary of Commerce may take into consideration such factors as are established by regulation and are consistent with the purposes of this Act. SEC. 103. In extending assistance under this Act the Secretary shall Project priorities. take into consideration the relative needs of applicant areas for the 42 USC 5184 projects for which assistance is requested, and the appropriateness of note. the project for relieving the conditions intended to be alleviated by this Act. SEC. 104. The Secretary of Commerce shall have such powers and 42 USC 5184 authorities under this Act as are vested in the Secretary by sections note. 701 and 708 of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 42 USC 3211, 1965, as amended, with respect to that Act. SEC. 105. The National Environmental Protection Act of 1969, as 3218. amended, shall be implemented to the fullest extent consistent with but 42 USC 5184 note. 42 USC 4321 note.

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