Chapter 201. for improving Aransas Pass
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/statutes-at-large/vol-26/chapter-201-471524·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
CHAP. 201.— An Act for improving Aransas Pass.May 12, 1890. *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*,Aransas Pass Harbor Company may jetty, etc., Aransas Pass, Texas. That the Aransas Pass Harbor Company, a corporation duly chartered under the laws of the State of Texas, and their associates, assigns, successors, and representatives be, and they are hereby, authorized on the conditions hereinafter mentioned, to construct, own, and operate such permanen t and sufficient jetties and breakwaters and such auxiliary works asJetties, breakwaters, and auxiliary works. are necessary to create and permanently maintain, as hereinafter set forth, a navigable channel across the outer bar, which obstructs theNavigable channel on outer bar, Aransas Pass Harbor, etc. entrance to Aransas Pass Harbor, on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, in the State of Texas, and so far into the bays and navigable waters as may be necessary to reach a place that will afford ample dockage and protection from storms, swells, cyclones, and tidal waves for the purpose of furnishing the vessels and boats adapted to the purpose, facilities for navigation in and along the entire lengthAids to navigation. of said channel, and for that purpose they may construct in the Gulf of Mexico and in and across the bays and navigable waters adjacent thereto such walls, jetties, dikes, levees, and other structures, andStructures, appliances, etc. employ such boats, rafts, bridges, and appliances, as they may in the prosecution of said work deem necessary: *Provided*, That no*Provisos*.Unobstructed navigation, etc. such structure or means employed shall hinder, delay, or interfere with the free navigation in said channel, harbor, bays, or navigable waters; and to protect their said works they may build and maintainProtection of works, etc. such levees, embankments, walls, or riprap as may be necessary to secure their permanency along the banks or shores of Mustang,Mustang, Saint Joseph, and Harbor Islands.Use of Government works.Damage.
Saint Joseph, and Harbor Islands as the United States is authorized to grant, and to utilize such works as the Government has already constructed, and will hold the United States harmless from any damage that may accrue to any person or persons by the construction of 106FIFTY-FIRST CONGRESS. Sess. I. Chs. 201, 202. 1890. said walls, jetties, dikes, levees, and other works constructed Commencement and completion.thereunder: *Provided further*, That unless the construction of the proposed work shall be commenced within one year from date of the approval of this act and be diligently prosecuted by the expenditure Minimum annual expenditures.Periodic navigable depllis.of at least three hundred thousand dollars per annum thereafter in the prosecution thereof until twenty feet depth of water over the outer bar is obtained, the grant of privileges herein shall be forfeited; and unless the said company, their associates, assigns, successors, or legal representatives, shall secure a navigable depth over said outer bar of fifteen feet of water within three years after the date of the approval of this act, and a navigable depth of twenty feet of water over said bar within five years from said date, then Revocation.Congress may revoke the privileges herein granted in relation to said improvements.
Sec. 2. United States may purchase completed works. That at any time after said improvements and auxiliary works have been completed as herein provided, and said depth of twenty feet has been obtained, the United States shall have the right to pay the said company, or their assigns, successors, or legal representatives, the value of the works constructed under this act or under or by virtue of any authority granted by the State of Texas, and on such payment being made by the United States all rights to said Purchase not compulsory.work on the part of said parties shall cease, but nothing in this act shall be construed as compelling the Government to take possession No tolls or tonnage.of and pay for said works unless so desired.
Nothing within the provisions of this act shall be construed as authorizing the said company to charge or collect tolls or tonnage upon boats or vessels Free navigation.navigating said channel and the navigation of the same shall be free. Approved, May 12, 1890.