Montana Code Annotated
Part 19. Operation of Districts
85-7-1906. Relations with United States

85-7-1906. Relations with United States. (1) For the purpose of acquiring control over government land within the district and of complying with the provisions of the act of congress of August 11, 1916, the board shall have authority to make such investigations and base thereon such representations and assurances to the secretary of the interior as may be requisite.
(2) The board may enter into any obligation or contract with the United States:
(a) for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the necessary works for the delivery and distribution of water therefrom and the necessary drainage works;
(b) for the assumption, as principal or guarantor, of indebtedness to the United States on account of district lands, under the provisions of the federal Reclamation Act of June 17, 1902, all acts amendatory thereof or supplementary thereto, and the rules and regulations established thereunder; or
(c) for a water supply under any act of congress providing for or permitting such contract.
(3) In case contract has been or may hereafter be made with the United States as herein provided, bonds of the district may be deposited with the United States at 90% of their par value, to the amount to be paid by the district to the United States under any such contract. The interest on said bonds of the district and regularly paid to the United States is to be applied as provided in such contract. If bonds of the district are not so deposited, it shall be the duty of the board of commissioners to include, as part of any levy or assessment provided for in 85-7-2101 or 85-7-2132, an amount sufficient to meet each year all payments accruing under the terms of any such contract. The board may accept, on behalf of the district, appointment of the district as fiscal agent of the United States or authorization of the district by the United States to make collections of money for or on behalf of the United States in connection with any federal reclamation project, whereupon the district shall be authorized to so act and to assume the duties and liabilities incident to such action. The board shall have full power to do all things required by the federal statutes now or hereafter enacted in connection therewith and all things required by the rules and regulations now or that may hereafter be established by any department of the federal government in regard thereto, including the power to require the prompt payment of all charges as prerequisite to water service.
History: En. Sec. 9, Ch. 146, L. 1909; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 145, L. 1915; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 153, L. 1917; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 116, L. 1919; re-en. Sec. 7174, R.C.M. 1921; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 157, L. 1923; re-en. Sec. 7174, R.C.M. 1935; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 111, L. 1973; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 307, L. 1975; R.C.M. 1947, 89-1301(6), (7); amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 326, L. 1979.

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