ALP 16

FAC 01 -05
Reclamation Manual
Directives and Standards
Subject: Transfer of Operation and Maintenance (O &M) Responsibility of Project Works
Purpose: To establish procedures and requirements for transferring O &M of project works,
including Safety of Dams (SOD) modifications, from:
1 Construction status to Reclamation O &M status or
! Construction status or Reclamation O &M status to water user organization O &M
status
Authority: Reclamation Project Act of June 17, 1902, Section 6 and Reclamation Extension Act
of August 13, 1914, Section 5.
Contact: Water Resources Office, D -5500
1. Background. Section 5 of the Reclamation Extension Act of August 13, 1914, states:
"...That, whenever any legally organized water users' association or irrigation district shall so
request, the Secretary of the Interior is authorized, in his discretion, to transfer to such water
users' associations or irrigation districts the care, operation, and maintenance of all or any
part of the project works, subject to such rules and regulations as he may prescribe."
2. Types of Transfers.
A. Transfer From Construction Status to Reclamation O &M Status. Effective with
the transfer of a facility from construction to Reclamation O &M status, responsibility
for O &M passes from the head of the construction activity to the head of the O &M
activity. Title to all project works will remain with the United States unless and until the
Congress of the United States provides otherwise. The transfer will not preclude later
charges to the principal obligation for completions and corrections found necessary and
documented during transfer inspections.
B. Transfer From Construction Status or Reclamation O &M Status to Water User
Organization O &M Status. Reclamation law provides for the transfer of the
responsibility for O &M of constructed facilities to water users or other legally
authorized organizations. Title to all project works will remain with the United States
unless and until the Congress of the United States provides otherwise. The transfer will
not preclude later charges to the principal obligation for completions and corrections
found necessary and documented during transfer inspections.
3. Facilities, Equipment, and Supplies. As project works move from construction through
Reclamation O &M to water user O &M, fixed facilities (dam, appurtenant structures,
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