Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 91.djvu/267

 PUBLIC LAW 95-51—JUNE 20, 1977

91 STAT. 233

Public Law 95-51 95th Congress An Act To amend the Disaster Relief Act of 1974 to provide for authorization of appropriations thereunder through fiscal year 1978. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That section 606 of the Disaster Belief Act of 1974 is amended by striking out " June 30, 1977" and inserting in lieu thereof "September 30, 1980". SEC. 2. Section 5 of the Flood Control Act approved August 18, 1941 (33 U.S.C. 701n) is amended by inserting " (a) " immediately after " SEC. 5." and by adding at the end thereof the following new subsection: " (b)(1) The Secretary, upon a written request for assistance under this paragraph made by any farmer, rancher, or political subdivision within a distressed area, and after a determination by the Secretary that (A) as a result of the drought such farmer, rancher, or political subdivision has an inadequate supply of water, (B) an adequate supply of water can be made available to such farmer, rancher, or political subdivision through the construction of a well, and (C) as a result of the drought such well could not be constructed by a private business, the Secretary, subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, may enter into an agreement with such farmer, rancher, or political subdivision for the construction of such well. " (2) The Secretary, upon a written request for assistance under this paragraph made by any farmer, rancher, or political subdivision within a distressed area, and after a determination by the Secretary that as a result of the drought such farmer, rancher, or political subdivision has an inadequate supply of water and water cannot be obtained by such farmer, rancher, or political subdivision, the Secretary may transport water to such farmer, rancher, or political subdivision by methods which include, but are not limited to, smalldiameter emergency water lines and tank trucks, until such time as the Secretary determines that an adequate supply of water is available to such farmer, rancher, or political subdivision. " (3)(A) Any agreement entered into by the Secretary pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection shall require the farmer, rancher, or political subdivision for whom the well is constructed to pay to the United States the reasonable cost of such construction, with interest, over such number of years, not to exceed thirty, as the Secretary deems appropriate. The rate of interest shall be that rate which the Secretary determines would apply if the amount to be repaid was a loan made pursuant to section 7(b)(2) of the Small Business Act. " (B) The Secretary shall not construct any well pursuant to this subsection unless the farmer, rancher, or political subdivision for whom the well is being constructed has obtained, prior to construction, all necessary State and local permits. " (4) The Federal share for the transportation of water pursuant to paragraph (2) of this subsection shall be 100 per centum.

June 20, 1977 [H.R. 6197] Disaster relief programs. Appropriation authorization 42 USC 5202.

Construction of wells in drought areas.

Transportation of water.

Costs.

Rate of interest. 15 USC 636.

Federal share.

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