Digest of Federal Resource Laws of Interest to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Water Resources Development Act of 1976
Water Resources Development Act of 1976 [33 U.S.C. 59m;
426; 547a; 577; 579; 701e; 702a-12; 90 Stat. 2917 (Additional citations are found
at 42 U.S.C. 1962d; 4321; and 4601.)] -- Public Law 94-587, enacted October 22,
1976, authorized additional water projects for development by the Army Corps
of Engineers, modified certain features of previously authorized projects, and
included specific conservation measures for some of the projects including but
not limited to: (1) the Lower Snake River Fish and Wildlife Compensation Plan,
(2) White River Basin, Beaver Dam trout production measures (fish hatchery),
and (3) the Mississippi River
"Great River Study."
Section 150 of the Act authorizes the Chief of Engineers to plan and establish wetland areas
as part of water resources development projects. Wetland areas established under this authority
must be primarily created from placement of dredged material, designed to produce beneficial
functional values, and not exceed $400,000 in increased cost to the project.
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